From life-threatening to chronic disease: Is this the case of cancers? A systematic review

Abstract

Problem identification Given the importance of a common scientific background on what clinicians mean by the term chronic cancer (CC), the present review examines whether and to what extent a shared definition of CC exists in the literature. Literature Search A systematic search of the existing literature dealing with the definition of CC was performed. Synthesis Considering a statement of the American Cancer Society on CC, a list of attributes for a cancer to be considered chronic was drawn up and used as a common schema to evaluate and organize a description of CC provided by relevant articles. Conclusions Overall, most of the relevant articles recognized a time criterion as a peculiar attribute of a CC, however, there is only a limited degree of overlap within the literature definitions of CC. Implication for Practice It may be useful to talk about a chronic phase within a broader cancer disease continuum.

Keywords

• chronic cancer
• chronic disease
• definition
• cancer care
• oncology