In cancer pain management, corticosteroids can improve which symptom besides pain?

• A. Appetite and mood
• B. Infection resistance
• C. Bone density
• D. Hair growth

Answer: (A)

Corticosteroids in cancer care often act as mood-and-appetite boosters in addition to their anti-inflammatory and anti-edema effects. Short courses of drugs like dexamethasone can increase appetite and improve a patient’s sense of well-being and energy, which is particularly helpful when cancer or its treatment causes anorexia and fatigue. This non-pain symptom relief comes from central effects on appetite regulation and mood, plus reduction of tumor-related inflammation and edema that can worsen comfort.

They do not improve infection resistance; in fact, steroids can suppress immune function with longer use. They can also contribute to bone density loss over time, and they have no meaningful effect on hair growth. Therefore, the best non-pain symptom improvement seen with corticosteroids in this context is appetite and mood.