Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to provide healthcare professionals, researchers and caregivers with insights on persistent somatic symptoms afflicting cancer survivors. These symptoms, including pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, sexual dysfunction, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular, neurological and musculoskeletal complications often endure long after treatment completion, negatively impacting quality of life. Certain populations like childhood cancer survivors and those receiving intensive chemotherapy have higher somatic symptom burden. Possible mechanisms include accelerated aging, somatization tendencies, treatment side effects, mood disorders, and comorbidities. Assessing patient-reported outcomes and screening tools can facilitate early detection and management. Treatment strategies encompass pharmacological and nonpharmacological modalities targeting specific symptoms. Overall somatic symptom burden correlates with psychological distress and disability among survivors. Tailored, patient-centric rehabilitation programs over the cancer trajectory, from pretreatment through long-term survivorship, can mitigate symptoms. More research on persistent somatic complications is warranted to optimize evidence-based care for survivors’ multifaceted needs.