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Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS)

Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (15 core items · 0–4 each · Max: 60)

Pain0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Tiredness / Fatigue0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Nausea0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Vomiting0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Loss of Appetite0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Constipation0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Diarrhea0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Mouth Sores0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Depression0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Anxiety0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Drowsiness0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Difficulty Sleeping0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Difficulty Concentrating0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Shortness of Breath0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Fever0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Symptom Burden

Rate the severity of each symptom based on the patient's experience over the past 7 days.

Guidelines & Evidence

Verified

Last Review: 2026

When to Use

Overview

The Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) is a multidimensional, patient-reported instrument that comprehensively quantifies symptom burden in patients with cancer and serious illness. It assesses 32 symptoms across three dimensions — frequency, severity, and distress — providing one of the most granular maps of the total symptom burden available in palliative care.

When to Use

Baseline comprehensive symptom burden assessment at palliative care referral

Research studies measuring palliative care interventional outcomes

Identification of under-recognized symptoms that patients may not spontaneously report

Cross-comparison of symptom prevalence in cancer types (e.g., lung vs. colorectal vs. breast)

Distinguishing symptom frequency from distress — a highly frequent but minimally distressing symptom differs clinically from an infrequent but highly distressing symptom

MSAS vs. ESAS: Complementary Tools

ESAS-r is ideal for rapid, daily/weekly symptom monitoring (9 items, < 5 minutes). MSAS is ideal for comprehensive baseline profiling (32 items, 20–30 minutes). In practice: use ESAS-r for routine monitoring, and MSAS at initial consultation or for research purposes to capture the full symptom landscape.

Related Scores in Practice

In clinical practice, this assessment is frequently evaluated alongside other validated measures. Depending on the patient's presentation and specific diagnostic requirements, you may also need to utilize the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r), Ipos Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale or the Distress Thermometer to formulate a comprehensive care plan.

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026

Related Palliative Care Tools

Edmonton Symptom Assessment System

Seattle Heart Failure Model

Palliative Performance Scale

Palliative Prognostic

Respiratory Distress Observation Scale

Palliative Care Calculators Internal Medicine Calculators Emergency Medicine Calculators

Have feedback about this calculator?Let us know.

In Recent Clinical News

Scanning Medical Journals

No new significant updates or guidelines matching this topic were found today. We will check again soon.

Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS)

Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (15 core items · 0–4 each · Max: 60)

Pain0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Tiredness / Fatigue0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Nausea0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Vomiting0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Loss of Appetite0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Constipation0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Diarrhea0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Mouth Sores0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Depression0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Anxiety0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Drowsiness0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Difficulty Sleeping0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Difficulty Concentrating0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Shortness of Breath0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Fever0

Not presentSlightMildModerateSevere

Symptom Burden

Rate the severity of each symptom based on the patient's experience over the past 7 days.

Guidelines & Evidence

Verified

Last Review: 2026

When to Use

Overview

When to Use

Baseline comprehensive symptom burden assessment at palliative care referral

Research studies measuring palliative care interventional outcomes

Identification of under-recognized symptoms that patients may not spontaneously report

Cross-comparison of symptom prevalence in cancer types (e.g., lung vs. colorectal vs. breast)

Distinguishing symptom frequency from distress — a highly frequent but minimally distressing symptom differs clinically from an infrequent but highly distressing symptom

MSAS vs. ESAS: Complementary Tools

Related Scores in Practice

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026

Related Palliative Care Tools

Edmonton Symptom Assessment System

Seattle Heart Failure Model

Palliative Performance Scale

Palliative Prognostic

Respiratory Distress Observation Scale

Palliative Care Calculators Internal Medicine Calculators Emergency Medicine Calculators

Have feedback about this calculator?Let us know.