Symptom Screening Reduces Symptom Burden in Pediatric Cancer Patients, Study Finds

Pediatric cancer treatments are known to cause significant physical and emotional discomfort, and addressing these symptoms is an important part of care. A new study led by researchers from the University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), published in JAMA, demonstrates that regular, self-reported symptom screening significantly reduces symptom burden in pediatric cancer patients. The findings emphasize the potential of integrating symptom monitoring into standard oncology care to enhance the quality of life for young patients.

Evidence-Based Findings: How Screening Eases Symptom Burden

The randomized controlled trial included 445 pediatric cancer patients aged 8 to 18 years from 20 cancer centers in the United States. Half of the centers implemented a screening intervention using the Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool (SSPedi), while the other half provided usual care. For eight weeks, children in the intervention group were asked to self-screen three times a week for "bother" related to 15 symptoms, including sadness, nausea, and constipation, via a web-based application called SPARK.

At the conclusion of the study, 12 of the 15 symptoms showed statistically significant improvement, and the total symptom score exhibited a clinically meaningful reduction. These findings reinforce the importance of routine symptom tracking in pediatric cancer care. A related study conducted in Canada demonstrated improved symptom scores after just five days of SSPedi use, suggesting the tool can deliver results in a short period.

Why It Matters: Empowering Children and Families

While survival rates for pediatric cancer are improving, many children continue to experience severe physical and emotional symptoms due to their treatments. “The main purpose of symptom screening is to allow children to have a real voice and express the degree to which they are bothered by these symptoms so we can find ways to make their treatment kinder,” said Dr. Lee Dupuis, senior associate scientist at SickKids and professor at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto.

SSPedi not only empowers children to report their symptoms but also provides clinicians with clear data to prioritize care for the most bothersome issues. According to Dr. Lillian Sung, the study’s lead investigator, “This study provides high-quality evidence that an intervention including symptom screening improves symptom control, a finding consistent with adult clinical trials.”

However, the trial also noted an increase in emergency department visits among the families using the symptom screening tool. Researchers suggest that when parents see their child’s symptom scores, they may feel a stronger need to seek medical attention. Dr. Dupuis emphasized the importance of developing robust care pathways to help families make informed decisions about when to seek care.

Moving Toward Kinder Cancer Treatment

The results of this study highlight the critical role of patient-reported data in improving pediatric oncology care. With tools like SSPedi, children gain a platform to express their experiences, and clinicians are equipped to respond effectively. By refining supportive care systems, SSPedi and similar tools have the potential to become integral in reducing treatment-related burden for young cancer patients and their families.

This research was supported by funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the National Institutes of Health, with additional support for SSPedi’s early development provided by the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario.