Introduction Historically, systemic therapy played the primary role in the management of metastatic disease, while radiation therapy (RT) was primarily reserved for palliation of symptoms and sequelae of metastatic disease including pain, bleeding, compression, risk of fracture, and neurological compromise.…
Introduction More than 16.9 million people are living with cancer in the United States, and approximately 1.8 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2020. The population of cancer survivors in the United States is predicted to…
Introduction It is estimated that up to 40% of patients with advanced cancers will receive palliative radiation therapy (RT) during the course of their disease. While specific details of patient, treatment modality, and dose selection are discussed elsewhere in this…
General considerations The choice of appropriate treatment modality in the curative setting is typically based on efficacy for cure and avoidance of severe adverse effects. Historical experience, theoretical considerations of radiobiology, and results of research studies (especially randomized controlled trials)…
What is the approach to the patient referred for palliative radiotherapy? While most patients with advanced or metastatic cancer referred for consideration of palliative radiotherapy will undergo radiation treatment, deciding who is a candidate for palliative radiotherapy and if so,…
Background The World Health Organization’s definition of palliative care states that: Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of…
Why is it important? Communication is an essential part of high-quality, person-centered care, especially in the context of a serious illness like cancer. The majority of people living with cancer want to have conversations with their clinicians about what to…
Introduction Communication skills can be broadly defined as “the cognitive and emotional abilities used by clinicians to enable patients and their families to understand the nature of the illness, to partner with patients to make sound medical decisions, and to…
I always avoid prophesying beforehand because it is much better to prophesy after the event has already taken place. Winston Churchill Prognostication is the act of foretelling or prophesying future events. Along with diagnosis and treatment, it has served as…
What is palliative care? Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illness that is focused on improving quality of life for patients and their families and caregivers. It is available to patients of any age and any…