Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2014
Differential expression of genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis and bioenergetics in fatigued prostate cancer men receiving external beam radiation therapy.
This prospective study explored relationships between expression changes of genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis/bioenergetics and fatigue in men with prostate cancer receiving external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). ⋯ Genes related to oxidative phosphorylation, energy production, and mitochondrial membrane integrity are associated with worsening fatigue during EBRT. Further investigation of the pathways involved with this association may explain mechanisms behind the development of fatigue in this population.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2014
Repeated assessments of symptom severity improve predictions for risk of death among patients with cancer.
Although prior studies show the importance of self-reported symptom scores as predictors of cancer survival, most are based on scores recorded at a single point in time. ⋯ If available, researchers should consider including changing information on symptom scores, as opposed to only baseline information on symptom scores, when examining hazard of death among patients with cancer. Worsening of pain, fatigue, and appetite may be a flag for impending death.
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There is little known about the pattern of change in patient-family member symptom incongruence across the lung cancer trajectory. ⋯ Findings suggest the importance of modeling symptom incongruence over time and taking a dyadic approach to the illness context to identify interventions that promote adjustment and quality of life for both patient and family member.