Cancer-Related Fatigue and Sleep Disorders

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) continues to be a major concern of patients and providers of cancer care. The symptoms are debilitating and can persist for many years after the cancer diagnosis and therapy. Further research is required to address the mechanisms of illness, including a better understanding of the complex interplay between the sleep system, circadian rhythms, inflammation, and the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Genetic analysis and genomic studies need to be done to better understand which patients may be prone to CRF and which therapies may exacerbate these symptoms. Attention must be focused on understanding which comorbidities, including mood disturbance, sleep disturbance deconditioning, cardiovascular, and endocrine function, contribute to CRF.