A circular diagram for representing symptom status in advanced cancer patients.
Symptom relief is the major goal of palliative care. Its assessment is essential and several methods have been described. To evaluate immediately the clinical situation, a circular diagram for a visual representation of the physical symptoms is proposed. Particular patterns derived from the given data emerge from the diagrams. Certain critical situations often observed in palliative care, especially in the last weeks of life, show specific patterns that are easily distinguished. Effective treatments may change the appearance of different pictures.
Mercadante
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Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Buccheri La Ferla FBF Hospital, Palermo, Italy.
Salvaggio
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L
D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms; D010166:Palliative Care; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012720:Severity of Illness Index