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Endocrine therapy‐induced cancer‐related fatigue in hormone‐dependent malignancies: Mechanisms, impact, and management strategies

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Endocrine Therapy is a critical treatment for hormone‐dependent cancers but frequently leads to cancer‐related fatigue, a prevalent side effect that significantly affects patients' quality of life. Cancer‐related fatigue results from a complex interaction of physiological and psychological factors, including hormonal changes, energy metabolism disruptions, and the emotional burden of living with cancer. This review summarizes the epidemiology of endocrine therapy‐induced cancer‐related fatigue, its contributing factors, and impacts on patients' daily functioning and treatment adherence, and underscores the necessity for comprehensive management strategies, combining pharmacological interventions and non‐pharmacological strategies. This review calls for further research to uncover the mechanisms connecting endocrine therapy and fatigue, consider the heterogeneity across different cancer types, ensure adequate sample sizes for statistical robustness, and adopt more objective and comprehensive assessment tools, which are pivotal for enabling the development of personalized care strategies aimed at alleviating the impact of cancer‐related fatigue and enhancing treatment efficacy.

Source: Precision Medical Sciences

DOI: 10.1002/prm2.70038