| Palliative Care Basics |
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What is Palliative Care?
The World Health Organization defines palliative care as care which focuses on patients with life-threatening diseases. The goal of palliative care is to prevent and relieve the suffering of cancer patients and provide the best possible quality of life, regardless of age, cancer stage and treatment plans.
Many people believe that palliative care is only for patients whose cancer cannot be treated or who are close to the end of life. In fact, palliative care is most useful when it is started along with cancer treatment. This way it can help treat common symptoms caused by treatment and ensure the best quality of life. For this reason, palliative care is often referred to as supportive care or symptom control. If the patient's cancer cannot be treated, then the palliative care focus shifts to end-of-life care, which is often provided by a hospice.
Palliative care can include:
End of life care |
| Palliative Care Services at M. D. Anderson |
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Three physician groups provide Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine services to M. D. Anderson patients:
Symptom control and palliative care services include multidisciplinary assessment and management of severe symptoms such as pain, fatigue, constipation, dyspnea, nausea, decreased appetite; and assistance with treatment planning and care coordination issues related to coping with life–threatening illness. Patients may be referred at any stage of their illness.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation services include reconditioning, post mastectomy evaluation and rehabilitation, lymphedema management, neurological rehabilitation, limb salvage, and amputee rehabilitation.
Integrative Medicine is a new medical service that provides consultation regarding the utilization of complementary approaches in a manner that maximizes safety and effectiveness. Read more. |
| Palliative Care Education & Support |
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Education & Support
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Pain Management - t he more you know about your cancer pain, the more you can help your caregivers plan the best treatment for you.
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Advance Directives - document what type of treatment you want - or don't want - in case you become physically unable to communicate.
Related Sites
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| For Cancer Professionals |
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Intensive Board Review Course in Hospice and Palliative Medicine
September 30 - October 2, 2008
Pain and Symptom Management in Patients with Advance Disease: Clinical Review for Nursing in Hospice and Palliative Care
October 1-2, 2008
12th Annual Interdisciplinary Approach to Symptom Control, Palliative and Hospice Care Conference
October 3-4, 2008 |
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