Fatigue in patients receiving localized radiation

Abstract
Thirty patients with cancer being treated with localized radiation via the Varian Linear Accelerator were surveyed regarding the fatigue level and fatigue symptoms they experienced. Data was collected each day during their radiation regimens. Throuhout the 5-week period of data collection the absence of radiation exposure over the weekends was consistently followed by decreased fatigue levels. Statistically significant increases in the level of fatigue experienced by these patients occurred over their course of localized radiation. The following seven physical symptoms were found to correlate at a statistically significant level with the fatigue levels experienced: tired in whole body, tired legs, heavy head, eye strain, yawning, wanting to lie down, and feeling ill. Although the sample size was small and all types of localized radiation regimens were included, the findings appear to provide sufficient justification for further study in this area.