Abstract
Constitutional symptoms are general as opposed to local symptoms which affect the cancer patient’s entire system. This “systemic symptomatology” is most often a complex of multiple symptoms which are interrelated, which develop sequentially, and which reinforce one another. For example, physical weakness due to illness may cause a depressed self-image and promote withdrawal which in turn brings on somnolence and disinterest in normal activities, such as ingesting food. A vicious cycle develops which if untreated can have a serious impact on a patient’s physical and emotional well being.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1978 G. K. Hall & Co.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Lokich, J.J. (1978). Management of Constitutional Symptoms. In: Primer of Cancer Management. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-9678-2_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-9678-2_11
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-9680-5
Online ISBN: 978-94-010-9678-2
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive