Living with bodily changes in hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To review the current knowledge on living with bodily changes in hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC), treatment options, and common symptoms, and suggestions for improving our understanding of the experience of HRPC.


METHODS
Existing literature, research, and clinical experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Alleviation of bodily problems and providing care for men with HRPC is of utmost importance. It is important to talk about their situation and everyday life before asking about expected changes and problems related to the disease and its treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
A preliminary framework is suggested for understanding the experience of HRPC from a nursing perspective. These results support an existing body of knowledge emphasizing the paramount importance of symptom alleviation, but indicate another motivation, that of freeing time, when time is so limited. The importance of dialogue between patients and health care providers is highlighted.
Research and Development Unit in Palliative Care, Stockholms Sjukhem Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden. olav.lindqvist@ki.se
Olav
O
Lindqvist
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011788:Quality of Life
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal