Palliative Care and Hospice Care

Palliative care is given to manage the symptoms of a disease or the side effects of treatment.  Palliative care does not directly treat the cancer, but is a critical part of managing the disease and assuring that every patient has the best possible quality of life.  Palliative care is part of end of life care, but is not just for people in the final stages of their disease.  Cancer patients at every stage can potentially suffer from problems brought about by the treatments they receive.  These problems can be either physical, such as pain; or mental, such as depression and anxiety.  Patients and their families should openly discuss their concerns with the treatment team and use the resources that are available.

Hospice care is support delivered at the end of life.  Hospice care does not involve any treatment of the cancer itself.  It is entirely focused on relieving symptoms, including pain, and providing emotional and physical support to the patient and caregivers.  Hospice care can be administered either in specialized facilities or in the home.  If you or your loved one has or is reaching the point where hospice care is appropriate, you should discuss your needs with the treatment team.  Many resources are available to provide high level hospice care to end-stage cancer patients.