Explanation of Cancer Related Fatigue

What is Cancer Related Fatigue?

On the surface it sounds like a simple question with a simple answer, however cancer fatigue is much more profound than tiredness. Cancer fatigue is a deep debilitating condition that spoils the quality of life of the patient.

There is a difference between being tired and being fatigued. Everyone gets tired, form certain activities or lack to sleep. Usually tiredness is solved by a good nights sleep.

Fatigue is a much more serious condition. Fatigue is a daily lack of energy, a whole-body tiredness which is not relieved by sleep. Fatigue can be acute, which means is lasts for a month or less, or chronic, which means that it lasts more that one month or more. Chronic fatigue can last for several month.

Cancer related fatigue is a common side effect of cancer and cancer treatment. Whether a patient will get cancer related fatigue is not predictable by tumor type, treatment or stage of illness. The fatigue comes on suddenly and does not result from activity or exertion. This type of fatigue is not relieved by rest of sleep. Patients often describe this fatigue as paralyzing.

Cancer patients can get cancer related fatigue from the cancer treatments or from other factors related to cancer.

Chemotherapy drugs can cause fatigue, as a side effect of the strong drugs used to fight the cancer cells. The fatigue may last a few days or extend to long after the treatment has been completed.

Radiation Therapy can cause fatigue that is cumulative, meaning it increases over time. fatigue can last for a few weeks of a few months after completion of treatment.

Bone Marrow Transplant is an aggressive treatment that can cause fatigue that lasts up to a year.

Biological Therapy can affect the immune and endocrine system, causing persistent fatigue.

Combination Therapy: Cancer patients ofter receive more that on treatment at a time, increasing the chances of developing fatigue.