Palliative Care for Lung Cancer

Palliative and terminal care

Palliative care or hospice care refers to medical or nursing care to reduce symptoms and suffering without attempting to cure the underlying disease. Because only a small number of people with lung cancer are cured, relief from suffering becomes the primary goal for many.

• The patient, his or her family, and the doctor will probably recognize when the patient has reached this point.
  
  
• Whenever possible, the transition to palliative care should be planned in advance.
  
  
• Planning should begin with a 3-way conversation between the patient, someone representing the patient (if he or she is too ill to participate), and the health care provider.
  
  
• During these meetings likely outcomes, medical issues, and any fears or uncertainties can be discussed.
  

Palliative care may be given at home, in a hospital if home care is not possible, or in a special hospice. Palliative care consists mainly of treatments to relieve shortness of breath and pain.

• Breathlessness will be treated with oxygen and medications such as opioids, which are narcotic drugs such as opium, morphine, codeine, methadone, and heroin.
  
  
• Pain management includes anti-inflammatory medications and opioids. The patient is encouraged to participate in determining doses of the pain medication, because how much is needed to block pain will vary from day to day.
  
  
• Other symptoms, such as anxiety, lack of sleep, and depression, are treated with appropriate medications and, in some cases, complementary therapies.