Age and gender differences in symptom intensity and symptom clusters among patients with metastatic cancer

Note: abstract denotes 'common cancers' only, no reference to ovarian cancer

"Analyses of symptom clusters revealed that fatigue and drowsiness were included in the cluster of pain, nausea, and appetite in younger but not older patients. In men, pain clustered together with depression and anxiety; for women, physical and psychological symptoms formed separate clusters.

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with advanced cancers, symptom patterns differ according to age and gender. Palliative interventions tailored for symptoms that are more prominent in specific patient subgroups may offer greater therapeutic benefit."