Symptom and quality of life survey of medical oncology patients at a Veterans Affairs medical center

Abstract

Intense symptoms were highly prevalent in this population. The presence of pain, lack of energy, or poor performance status should lead to comprehensive symptom assessment. Patients free of disease nevertheless still may experience intense symptoms. The number of symptoms present may be a helpful guide to quality of life. Routine comprehensive symptom assessment may identify a significant fraction of patients who urgently require intensive symptom palliation.