Retrospective Study
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Oncol. Mar 15, 2024; 16(3): 810-818
Published online Mar 15, 2024. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i3.810
Influence of transcatheter arterial embolization on symptom distress and fatigue in liver cancer patients
Xu-Min Yang, Xu-Yan Yang, Xin-Yu Wang, Yue-Xia Gu
Xu-Min Yang, Xu-Yan Yang, Department of Nursing, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Changhai Hospital), Shanghai 200433, China
Xin-Yu Wang, Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200434, China
Yue-Xia Gu, Department of Nursing, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200434, China
Author contributions: Gu YX and Yang XM contributed equally in analysis of the data and writing of the manuscript; Wang XY and Yang XY collected the data and corrected the paper; all authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Institutional review board statement: The study was reviewed and approved by the Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital Institutional Review Board (approval No. 2022108-001).
Informed consent statement: All patients provided informed consent for the surgical procedures.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Data sharing statement: No additional data are available.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Yue-Xia Gu, MBBS, Chief Nurse, Department of Nursing, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 1279 Sanmen Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai 200434, China. shdsyy_guyuexia@163.com
Received: September 26, 2023
Peer-review started: September 26, 2023
First decision: December 5, 2023
Revised: December 22, 2023
Accepted: February 7, 2024
Article in press: February 7, 2024
Published online: March 15, 2024
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
Research background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the fifth most common cancer globally and is a major contributor to cancer-related mortality. Surgical treatment remains pivotal, but late-stage diagnosis limits its applicability. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is an essential intervention for unresectable HCC, yet its impact on patient well-being requires further exploration.

Research motivation

Despite the significance of TAE in HCC management, the associated symptom distress and fatigue remain inadequately understood. A comprehensive investigation of symptom distress and fatigue following TAE is essential to enhance patient care and outcomes.

Research objectives

To assess symptom distress and fatigue in liver cancer patients undergoing TAE. To identify factors influencing post-TAE fatigue. To contribute evidence-based insights for personalized symptom management strategies.

Research methods

We used a cross-sectional design and purposive sampling to enroll liver cancer patients who underwent TAE. We used questionnaires to collect data on symptom distress and fatigue. We analyzed the data using statistical methods to reveal correlations and predictors.

Research results

TAE significantly reduced symptom distress and fatigue levels post-treatment. Commonly reported symptoms included pain, fatigue, insomnia, fever and abdominal discomfort. Marital status, family support, physical function, age, and symptom distress were identified as predictors of post-TAE fatigue.

Research conclusions

TAE plays a crucial role in managing unresectable HCC, with notable benefits in symptom distress and fatigue reduction. Personalized symptom management strategies should be tailored to individual patient profiles. Patient education is vital to prepare them for post-TAE symptoms and optimize their wellbeing.

Research perspectives

Future studies should focus on long-term follow-up to evaluate the sustained effects of TAE on symptom distress and fatigue. Exploring interventions to further mitigate symptom distress and fatigue in post-TAE patients. Continual research will enhance the understanding and management of symptom-related issues in liver cancer patients, improving their overall quality of life.