Pain is the most common symptom which generates most fear in patients and their caregivers in the advanced stage of cancer. These children also have other symptoms that can cause significant discomfort and exacerbate the sensation of pain. In Chile, there has been no evaluation of the intensity of these symptoms and their effect on pain, and relevant knowledge could improve patient treatment.
Objective: Describe symptoms other than pain in patients with advanced cancer who were attended by the palliative care (PC) team at the Roberto del Rio Hospital.
Patients and methods: We reviewed medical records of 71 patients admitted to PC between April 2002 and December 2010. We recorded demographic characteristics and diagnoses were classified into acute leukemia, solid tumors and tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). We evaluated a list of symptoms and their frequencies.
Results: The most common symptom in patients with acute leukemia was fever (15%) as well as in patients with solid tumors (16%). In patients with CNS tumors alteration of consciousness was the most frequent (19%). Over 70% of patients had four or more symptoms and intensity assessment was mostly qualitative.
Conclusions: Besides pain, other symptoms are common and can cause great discomfort. Objective assessment of these symptoms would allow better management of children and also optimize pain control.
Keywords: palliative care, symptoms, advanced cancer, assessment scales. |
