Treatment options in end-of-life care: the role of palliative chemotherapy

Citation

McCall K & Johnston B (2007) Treatment options in end-of-life care: the role of palliative chemotherapy. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 13 (10), pp. 486-488. http://www.internurse.com/cgi-bin/go.pl/library/abstract.html?uid=27491

Abstract
Advances in medical science and technology, combined with the primary goal of medical care to restore or maintain health as far as possible, often result in the transition from active to palliative care being blurred. Treatment choices are limited in advanced disease; but paradoxically, which therapy to choose is becoming an increasingly complex decision (Weissman, 2004). The role of chemotherapy in this phase remains a controversial subject, but data are emerging to show that an increasing number of patients nearing the end of life are receiving chemotherapy (Matsuyama et al, 2006), and there is a mounting body of evidence for its use in symptom palliation (Cullen, 2003; Bowcock et al, 2004; Davis, 2005). Therefore, the traditional view that medical oncology and palliative care are two distinct disciplines may need to be modified.

Keywords
treatment; end of life care; palliative care; oncology; medical oncology; treatment choices; Palliative treatment; Quality of life; Terminal care; Chemotherapy

Journal
International Journal of Palliative Nursing: Volume 13, Issue 10