Palliative care for adults across the cancer trajectory: from diagnosis to end of life.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of palliative care across the cancer trajectory from diagnosis through treatment, the chronic phase, and end of life.


METHODS
Journal articles, research reports, state of the science papers, and clinical practice experience and guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
Symptoms occur throughout the cancer trajectory but are more common during active treatment and at the end of life. Symptom assessment facilitates optimal management of symptoms, promotion of comfort, and improvement in quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians have a responsibility to anticipate and assess symptoms throughout the illness trajectory. Identification of symptoms should prompt a plan of care that is based on evidence-based guidelines and best practices.
Brant
Jeannine M
JM
Billings Clinic Cancer Center, 2825 8th Ave. North, Billings, MT 59107, USA. jbrant@billingsclinic.org
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010166:Palliative Care; D011878:Radiotherapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents