Cancer-Related Sleep Disorders

Seo, Wan Seok

Abstract

Sleep problems and disorders are common in patients with cancer. Sleep of the cancer patients is affected by various factors, including thermoregulatory changes associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, cancer related symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, and emotional difficulties. As one of the most common symptoms in cancer patients, fatigue is positively correlated with sleep difficulties. Cytokine is also frequently associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It provokes excessive daytime sleepiness and hypersomnia. Medications for controlling pain, depression, and anxiety can affect sleep of the cancer patients. Medications as well as behavior therapy are reported to be effective for controlling sleep problems, and the physicians need to be accustomed to use the modalities appropriately. This paper reviews causative factors, evaluation, and management of sleep problems and disorders, experienced by cancer patients.