Factors influencing fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing breast irradiation.

96 Background: We are conducting an exploratory, prospective study to investigate factors associated with radiation-induced fatigue in women with early breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy (RT) for breast conservation. Our hypothesis is that fatigue associated with adjuvant RT is related to tissue damage by apoptosis and inflammation, and to baseline psychological profiles. Methods: All subjects were assessed immediately before RT (T1), mid-point of RT (T2), end of RT (T3), 6 months (T4) and 1 year (T5) after completing RT. Clinical evaluations of skin toxicity, laboratory measures, fatigue, distress, depression, anxiety, sleep, energy and pain were assessed using validated measures. Results: Thirty-one subjects (target 50) have been enrolled to date; 23 have completed T3 and are presented here. 35% had a history of depression and 17% are currently depressed; 22% had past and current anxiety. BCTOS breast pain, tenderness and sensitivity increased during RT and were consistent with functional pain s...