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Physicians can do a better job of palliating symptoms and improving the quality of life of cancer patients if they understand the principles of symptom management. We review the general principles of symptom management for fatigue, anorexia, constipation, dyspnea, nausea, and vomiting.

IntroductionPrognostication in cancer is challenging and inaccurate. C-Reactive Protein (CRP), a cheap and sensitive marker of inflammation may help. This study investigated the relationship between CRP and prognosis in a large cohort of solid tumors with mixed cancer diagnoses and stages.MethodsElectronic medical records of 4931 adults with solid tumors who attended the Taussig Cancer Institute from 2006–2012 were reviewed. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Maximum CRP (mCRP) was identified for each individual. CRP was analysed as a time-dependent, continuous and categorical variable for association with survival.ResultsTwo thirds of patients had a high mCRP. This was consistently associated with shorter survival, even after correction for time from diagnosis, and when analysed as a continuous or a categorical variable. When mCRP values above 10 mg/L were subcategorized, a higher mCRP was always worse. Even among those with normal values, statistically and clinically significant shorter survival was noted at mCRP levels >5 mg/L.ConclusionsIn a large representative cohort of consecutive solid tumor patients the risk of death was clinically and statistically significantly greater with a high mCRP. This was independent of other variables and regardless of statistical method from both dates of diagnosis and test. CRP appeared to be underutilized. Our results support the routine use of CRP as a universal cost-effective independent prognostic indicator in most solid tumors.

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This cohort study examines overall and recurrence-free survival outcomes in adult patients with liver-confined, unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases who underwent a living-donor liver transplant.