title: The approaches in the care for terminal cancer patients in radiotherapy and oncology clinic, Rijeka University Hospital Center.
abstract: We sought to determine the proportion of our admitted patients in terminal phase of ilness who recieved some kind of active oncological therapy. We conducted a pilot study on the records of patients who died in the University Hospital. We assessed the percentage of mortality, a therapeutic approach in terms of treating the underlying disease, and access to palliative treatment. Of 2097 patients hospitalized in the UHC Rijeka Department of Radiation Therapy and Oncology during 2010 and 2011, 44 pts died which accounts for 2.1%. The most common primary sites of cancer in patients who died in our Department were the lungs and then the breast. Ten (22.7%) patients were admitted exclusively to receive palliative care, while others (34-77.3%) were admitted for planned active chemo- and/or radiotherapy administration. Within three months before death, 18 (40.9%) patients underwent chemotherapy treatment. The number of patients hospitalized due to providing palliative care is extremely low, which could indicate a good supply of out-patient treatment of cancer patients in the terminal stage of the disease. However, concerned about the high percentage of patients who tried to provide oncology treatments in the three months before his death. The percentages referred to in their daily work is still guided by the principles of healing "to the end" and thus we plunge into the realm disthanasia.
authors.affiliation: University of Rijeka, Rijeka University Hospital Center, Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology Clinic, Rijeka, Croatia. renatadobrila@windowslive.com
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dobrila-Dintinjana
authors.forename: Arnela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Redzović
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perić
authors.forename: Duska
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petranović
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013727:Terminal Care