Sleep and Cancer

Patients with cancer commonly report disturbed sleep, fatigue, and daytime drowsiness. Although sleep disturbance contributes to significantly reduced quality of life, the overall significance of poor sleep at it relates to fatigue, pain, depression, or other health outcomes is unknown. Given that management of these symptoms is desirable for optimal outcomes in the treatment of cancer, evaluation and treatment of sleep disturbance in patients undergoing treatment for cancer is important. Given the need to minimize treatment burden, evaluation and treatment of sleep disturbance in this population may require clinical protocols specifically designed for patients with cancer. Further investigation is also needed into the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines as either a cause or consequence of sleep disturbance in this population.