E-MOSAIC Electronic Tool to Monitor Symptoms

RATIONALE: A hand held electronic tool used to monitor symptoms and assess quality of life may improve communication between patients and their doctors and improve the ability to plan treatment for patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care. It is not yet known whether symptoms are better controlled with or without use of this electronic tool. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying an electronic tool to see how well it records cancer symptoms in patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care.