Symptoms and symptom clusters in adolescents with cancer

Abstract

Abstract Clinical specialists have suggested that adolescents with cancer experience multiple problems including physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms. This study aimed to identify symptoms and symptoms clusters among adolescent inpatients and outpatients receiving cancer treatment. The study’s sample consisted of 26 adolescents who were selected with the purposeful sampling method in a paediatric oncology unit in Edirne, Turkey. Data were collected using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS). From the results of the research, in terms of symptoms, outpatients reported a greater lack of concentration than inpatients did. Inpatients reported more hair loss and weight loss symptoms than outpatients. Adolescent inpatients and outpatients experienced the most symptoms during the treatment. Inpatient adolescents experienced more acute treatment-related symptoms than did outpatients. The study recommends regular monitoring and screening for nurses to identify symptom and symptom clusters. Keywords: Adolescent; nursing; symptom cluster; symptom assessment; cancer;