2023 North America Conference on Lung Cancer (NACLC) - Posters and Abstracts-PP01.136 (Poster) Understanding Experiences of Cancer Related Fatigue in Patients with Lung Cancer After Their Cancer Treatment A Qualitative Content Analysis

PP01.136 (Poster) Understanding Experiences of Cancer Related Fatigue in Patients with Lung Cancer After Their Cancer Treatment A Qualitative Content Analysis

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Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a significant symptom that affects the quality of life in patients with lung cancer. However, there is limited research on the characteristics of CRF in lung cancer and its relationship with cancer treatment. This study aimed to explore the unique features of CRF in patients with lung cancer and investigate the factors that influence it.<br /><br />Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 adult patients with lung cancer until data saturation was reached. The collected data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Five themes of CRF were identified: energy depletion and impairment of daily activities, uncomfortable sensations throughout the body and changes in sensory perception, feeling down and anxious, cognitive impairment, and feeling isolated.<br /><br />CRF tended to improve over time, except for persistent emotional fatigue beyond 6 months. The group that underwent surgery followed by adjuvant cancer treatment reported the most diverse CRF symptoms. The concurrent chemoradiation therapy group experienced significant physical fatigue, while the radiosurgery group reported distinct emotional fatigue.<br /><br />Certain factors, such as exercise, can serve as both alleviating and aggravating factors for CRF. Tailored interventions that consider the multidimensional symptoms of CRF and patient characteristics are crucial. These findings will inform healthcare professionals when implementing patient-centered symptom management and patient education.

Asset Subtitle

Beom-joon Lee

Keywords

Cancer-related fatigue

lung cancer

quality of life

characteristics

cancer treatment

semi-structured interviews

energy depletion

feeling down

cognitive impairment

patient-centered symptom management