title: Palliative care in lung cancer: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (2nd edition).
abstract: GOALS/OBJECTIVES: To review the scientific evidence on symptoms and specific complications that are associated with lung cancer, and the methods available to palliate those symptoms and complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE literature review (through March 2006) for all studies published in the English language, including case series and case reports, since 1966 using the following medical subject heading terms: bone metastases; brain metastases; cough; dyspnea; electrocautery; hemoptysis; interventional bronchoscopy; laser; pain management; pleural effusions; spinal cord metastases; superior vena cava syndrome; and tracheoesophageal fistula.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pulmonary symptoms that may require palliation in patients who have lung cancer include those caused by the primary cancer itself (dyspnea, wheezing, cough, hemoptysis, chest pain), or locoregional metastases within the thorax (superior vena cava syndrome, tracheoesophageal fistula, pleural effusions, ribs, and pleura). Respiratory symptoms can also result from complications of lung cancer treatment or from comorbid conditions. Constitutional symptoms are common and require attention and care. Symptoms referable to distant extrathoracic metastases to bone, brain, spinal cord, and liver pose additional problems that require a specific response for optimal symptom control. There are excellent scientific data regarding the management of many of these issues, with lesser evidence from case series or expert opinion on other aspects of providing palliative care for lung cancer patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Palliation of symptoms and complications in lung cancer patients is possible, and physicians who provide such care must be knowledgeable about these issues.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, Immunology, and Sleep Disorders Medicine, Henry Ford Health System, 2799 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. pkvale1@hfhs.org
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kvale
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Selecky
authors.forename: Udaya B S
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Prakash
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*