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PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To provide a definition, describe uses, and identify essential attributes of symptom management by emphasizing the philosophical base for the concept. DATA SOURCES: 51 references (ie, books and articles) published from 1980-2003 and located through the Ovid database. DATA SYNTHESIS: Symptoms are subjective and personal phenomena, incorporating the dimensions of symptom occurrence, symptom distress, and symptom experience. Symptom management has been conceptualized and described as self-activity. Symptom status is the direct outcome of symptom management, with symptom distress, quality of life, and performance as major indicators. CONCLUSIONS: The essential attributes of symptom management in patients with cancer are subjectivity, experientiality, intentionality, multidimensionality, dynamic process, and positive and negative outcomes. IMPLICATIONS …