Cancer symptom clusters: from the lab bench to clinical practice

Objective: to present and discuss the advancement of science in symptom management through research involving oncological symptom clusters (OSC). Method: a reflective study, supported by the scientific literature on OSC. Results: five key points are crucial to advancing the science of symptom management through research involving OSC: definition of OSC characteristics; underlying mechanisms and priority symptom clusters; OSC measurement; targeted and personalized interventions; new analytical strategies. Final considerations: a better understanding of the complex connections between different systems and biobehavioral aspects in patients, especially in the field of oncology nursing, is urgent. The study of these interactions has become increasingly promising and emerging for oncology nursing, since therapeutic interventions, whose target is the neuroimmunoendocrine axis, are relevant for personalized care, translating into greater scientific and nurse autonomy to care for patients.