Fatigue may be acute or chronic. Acute fatigue is normal tiredness with occasional symptoms that begin quickly and last for a short time. Chronic fatigue is longer lasting, however. It can be a direct result of the cancer treatment, or can result from the spread of the cancer itself. It can become physically and even emotionally debilitating.
Fatigue can occur for many reasons.
It can be caused by anemia, loss of appetite, decreased levels of hormones, medications, emotional distress, difficulty sleeping, pain, and other factors. In the case of radiation, it may also be caused by the increased energy needed to repair damaged skin tissue. Treatments for fatigue can include certain medications to stimulate blood cell production, or psychostimulant drugs to improve emotional well being. Treatment for chronic fatigue that is related to anemia may include red blood cell transfusions. Beyond these, moderate exercise, sufficient rest, or simply setting priorities in your life, have been shown to result in significant improvements.