What is palliative care in cancer

• Read the transcript: MEGAN: Hi, I'm Megan Riesz, and this is Cancer Mythbusters, a podcast from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute about the many myths and misconceptions in the world of cancer. Every episode, we'll take a look at a myth and debunk it with the help of our world-leading clinicians and researchers. For cancer patients and their families, who are often laser-focused on a cure and staying positive, the topic of palliative care can be scary to think about. Many people aren't even sure what it means. In fact, this often-misunderstood specialty focuses not on curing disease but on improving quality of life for cancer patients throughout their disease. Still, many continue to equate it to hospice care, the goal of which is to help patients at end of life. So, who is palliative care really for, and how can it help cancer patients of all ages? Today, we're joined by Dr. James Tulsky, chair of Dana-Farber's department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care to clear up the confusion surrounding this medical approach and its use in cancer treatment. MEGAN: Thanks for joining me, Dr. Tulsky. DR. TULSKY: Thanks for having me. MEGAN: Let's clear up the difference between palliative care and hospice. Is palliative care only for cancer patients at the end of their lives? DR. TULSKY: Absolutely not. Palliative care is appropriate for patients at any stage in their illness. Honestly, for some people, from diagnosis all the way through to the end. And the reason is because w...

“You matter because of who you are. You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can , not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.” --Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the first modern hospice Hospice care is a special kind of care that focuses on the quality of life for people who are experiencing an advanced, life-limiting illness and their caregivers. Hospice care provides compassionate care for people in the last phases of incurable diseaseso that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible. The hospice philosophy accepts death as the final stage of life: it affirms life, but does not try to hasten or postpone death. Hospice care treats the person and symptoms of the disease, rather than treating the disease itself. A team of professionals work together to manage symptoms so that a person’s last days may be spent with dignity and quality, surrounded by their loved ones. Hospice care is also family-centered – it includes the patient and the family in making decisions. When should hospice care start? Hospice care is used when a disease, such as advanced cancer, gets to the point when treatment can no longer cure or control it. In general, hospice care should be used when a person is expected to live about 6 months or less if the illness runs its usual course. People with advanced cancer should have a discussion with theirfamily members and doctor to decide together when hospice care should begin. Studies show hospice ca...

Share on Pinterest Liver cancer is a serious disease that’s expected to affect more than 42,000 people in the United States in 2020, according to the This type of cancer often doesn’t show signs until its later stages, which makes it difficult for doctors to detect early. Liver cancer also tends to occur in people with a history of liver disease and other conditions, such as cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B, or hereditary hemochromatosis, making it a complex type of cancer to treat and cope with. Treatment options for liver cancer may include: • organ transplant • surgical removal of tumors • ablation of liver tumors • radiation therapy • targeted drug therapy • immunotherapy • chemotherapy Palliative care can complement your curative treatments and help improve your quality of life. It can: • offer an additional layer of support for you and your family • help you weigh out various treatment options • provide medication and coping strategies to ease your symptoms • help you coordinate care between your various providers You can begin palliative care right after you’re diagnosed with any serious disease, including liver cancer. Keep reading to learn more about palliative care and how it can help people with liver cancer. Palliative care is a tool used to help improve the quality of life for people who have a serious disease. It’s focused on helping you manage and relieve symptoms of the illness, not finding a cure. Palliative care may be offered in addition to treatment for t...

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