title: Palliative surgery: incidence and outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the goals of treatment, decision-making, incidence, and outcomes of surgical palliation in advanced cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Journal articles, research reports, state of the science papers, and clinical guidelines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical palliation is common in advanced cancer settings, and is indicated primarily in settings where the goals of treatment are focused on quality of life, symptom control, and symptom prevention. More research is needed to guide evidence-based best practices in palliative surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oncology nurses practicing in clinical and research settings have a responsibility to arm themselves with knowledge related to the indications and options of palliative procedures, and the impact of surgery on quality of life for patients and families facing advanced cancer.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Krouse
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D059039:Standard of Care; D016019:Survival Analysis; D019452:Terminally Ill; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
keywords: Palliative care; incidence; outcomes; quality of life; surgery