It's Not over When it's Over: Long-Term Symptoms in Cancer Survivors—A Systematic Review

The number of cancer survivors is steadily increasing. Following completion of primary cancer treatment and many years thereafter, specific symptoms continue to negatively affect cancer survivors. The purpose of this article is to review the evidence of symptom burden following primary treatment for cancer in survivors of the most common types of cancer (breast, gynecological, prostate, and colorectal).

A systematic review of literature published between the years 2000-2008 that reported late-effects and/or long-term psychosocial symptoms associated with cancer survivorship post-completion of primary cancer treatment was conducted. The symptoms include physical limitations, cognitive limitations, depression/anxiety, sleep problems, fatigue, pain, and sexual dysfunctions.