Cancer Symptom Clusters in Children and Adolescents with Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review

<b>Objective:</b> To synthesize and analyze the prevalence, composition, longitudinal stability, and predictors of cancer symptom clusters in children and adolescents undergoing chemotherapy. <b>Method:</b> A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with the P...

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Main Authors: Luís Carlos Lopes-Júnior, Jonathan Grassi, Marcela Bortoleto Freitas, Fernanda Ercília Souza Trigo, Fabrine Aguilar Jardim, Karolini Zuqui Nunes, Karla Anacleto de Vasconcelos, Regina Aparecida Garcia de Lima
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Nursing Reports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/5/163
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author Luís Carlos Lopes-Júnior
Jonathan Grassi
Marcela Bortoleto Freitas
Fernanda Ercília Souza Trigo
Fabrine Aguilar Jardim
Karolini Zuqui Nunes
Karla Anacleto de Vasconcelos
Regina Aparecida Garcia de Lima
author_facet Luís Carlos Lopes-Júnior
Jonathan Grassi
Marcela Bortoleto Freitas
Fernanda Ercília Souza Trigo
Fabrine Aguilar Jardim
Karolini Zuqui Nunes
Karla Anacleto de Vasconcelos
Regina Aparecida Garcia de Lima
author_sort Luís Carlos Lopes-Júnior
collection DOAJ
description <b>Objective:</b> To synthesize and analyze the prevalence, composition, longitudinal stability, and predictors of cancer symptom clusters in children and adolescents undergoing chemotherapy. <b>Method:</b> A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Evidence was sourced from MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, as well as clinical trial registries (Clinical Trials WHO-ICTRP) and gray literature. The search was performed in February 2025, with no restrictions on publication date or language. Two independent reviewers screened and selected the studies. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using design-specific tools, and the findings were synthesized narratively. <b>Results:</b> A total of 6221 records were identified, with 12 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. These studies were published between 2010 and 2024 in the United States, Brazil, China, and Turkey. Cancer symptom clusters in children and adolescents followed well-defined patterns, with the gastrointestinal, emotional, fatigue-related, somatic, and self-image clusters being the most prevalent. <b>Conclusions:</b> Early identification of these cancer symptom clusters is essential for guiding interprofessional teams in delivering personalized, evidence-based care to children and adolescents with cancer and their families.
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spelling doaj-art-ee13ca7cd6ea4db48c229aae090c29a12025-08-20T03:47:57ZengMDPI AGNursing Reports2039-439X2039-44032025-05-0115516310.3390/nursrep15050163Cancer Symptom Clusters in Children and Adolescents with Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic ReviewLuís Carlos Lopes-Júnior0Jonathan Grassi1Marcela Bortoleto Freitas2Fernanda Ercília Souza Trigo3Fabrine Aguilar Jardim4Karolini Zuqui Nunes5Karla Anacleto de Vasconcelos6Regina Aparecida Garcia de Lima7Graduate Program in Nutrition and Health, Health Sciences Center at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória 29040-091, ES, BrazilGraduate Program in Public Health, Health Sciences Center at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória 29040-091, ES, BrazilGraduate Program in Nutrition and Health, Health Sciences Center at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória 29040-091, ES, BrazilGraduate Program in Nutrition and Health, Health Sciences Center at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória 29040-091, ES, BrazilRibeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto 14040-902, SP, BrazilGraduate Program in Nutrition and Health, Health Sciences Center at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória 29040-091, ES, BrazilGraduate Program in Public Health, Health Sciences Center at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória 29040-091, ES, BrazilRibeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto 14040-902, SP, Brazil<b>Objective:</b> To synthesize and analyze the prevalence, composition, longitudinal stability, and predictors of cancer symptom clusters in children and adolescents undergoing chemotherapy. <b>Method:</b> A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Evidence was sourced from MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, as well as clinical trial registries (Clinical Trials WHO-ICTRP) and gray literature. The search was performed in February 2025, with no restrictions on publication date or language. Two independent reviewers screened and selected the studies. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using design-specific tools, and the findings were synthesized narratively. <b>Results:</b> A total of 6221 records were identified, with 12 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. These studies were published between 2010 and 2024 in the United States, Brazil, China, and Turkey. Cancer symptom clusters in children and adolescents followed well-defined patterns, with the gastrointestinal, emotional, fatigue-related, somatic, and self-image clusters being the most prevalent. <b>Conclusions:</b> Early identification of these cancer symptom clusters is essential for guiding interprofessional teams in delivering personalized, evidence-based care to children and adolescents with cancer and their families.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/5/163childadolescentneoplasmsantineoplastic agentsconcurrent symptomsoncology nursing
spellingShingle Luís Carlos Lopes-Júnior
Jonathan Grassi
Marcela Bortoleto Freitas
Fernanda Ercília Souza Trigo
Fabrine Aguilar Jardim
Karolini Zuqui Nunes
Karla Anacleto de Vasconcelos
Regina Aparecida Garcia de Lima
Cancer Symptom Clusters in Children and Adolescents with Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review
Nursing Reports
child
adolescent
neoplasms
antineoplastic agents
concurrent symptoms
oncology nursing
title Cancer Symptom Clusters in Children and Adolescents with Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review
title_full Cancer Symptom Clusters in Children and Adolescents with Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Cancer Symptom Clusters in Children and Adolescents with Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Cancer Symptom Clusters in Children and Adolescents with Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review
title_short Cancer Symptom Clusters in Children and Adolescents with Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review
title_sort cancer symptom clusters in children and adolescents with cancer undergoing chemotherapy a systematic review
topic child
adolescent
neoplasms
antineoplastic agents
concurrent symptoms
oncology nursing
url https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/5/163
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