title: Chemotherapy at end-of-life: an integration of oncology and palliative team.
abstract: Palliative chemotherapy is increasingly used in cancer patients near end of life. With the development of newer anticancer agents which have less side effects and higher expected efficacy, the decision on palliative chemotherapy in patients near end of life is complex. This article illustrates how oncologist and palliative care physicians can work together effectively. This article also gives an overview about the risks of palliative chemotherapy near end of life, patients' and physicians' perspectives in choosing the aggressive treatment and describes what an oncologist should do when facing this challenging situation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, 1/F Professorial Block, 102 Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. cwl088@ha.org.hk.
authors.forename: Wing-lok
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Ka-on
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, 1/F Professorial Block, 102 Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Wai-kwan
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Siu
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, 1/F Professorial Block, 102 Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Kwok-keung
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Yuen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Chemotherapy; Communication; Palliative care; Terminal care