Cancer Health Center

To determine the cause and best treatment for fatigue, the person's fatigue pattern must be determined, and all of the factors causing the fatigue must be identified. The doctor will look for causes of fatigue that can be treated. The following factors must be included:

1. Fatigue pattern, including how and when it started, how long it has lasted, and its severity, plus any factors that make fatigue worse or better.
2. Type and degree of disease and of treatment-related symptoms and/or side effects.
3. Treatment history.
4. Current medications.
5. Sleep and/or rest patterns and relaxation habits.
6. Eating habits and appetite or weight changes.
7. Effects of fatigue on activities of daily living and lifestyle.
8. Psychological profile, including an evaluation for depression.
9. Complete physical examination that includes evaluation of walking patterns, posture, and joint movements.
10. How well the patient is able to follow the recommended treatment.
11. Job performance.
12. Financial resources.
13. Other factors (for example, anemia, breathing problems, decreased muscle strength).

Underlying factors that contribute to fatigue should be evaluated and treated when possible. Contributing factors include anemia, depression, anxiety, pain, dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, sedating medications, and therapies that may have poorly tolerated side effects. Patients should tell their doctors when they are experiencing fatigue and ask for information about fatigue related to underlying causes and treatment side effects.

Anemia evaluation

There are different kinds of anemia. A medical history, a physical examination, and blood tests may be used to determine the kind and extent of anemia that a person may have. In people with cancer there may be several causes.