Model of symptom burden (symptom status plus functional status) as a subset of health-related quality of life (HRQOL). HRQOL is an inclusive concept with many domains outside of those that are most likely to be affected by disease and treatment. In contrast, symptoms (black circle) are patients’ perceptions of what is closest to the disease and treatment process. The biology of symptom burden (gray oval) provides the rationale for the development of effective management strategies. Adapted figure used with permission from Charles S. Cleeland6 based on the concept from Wilson and Cleary.7
