Editorial
PALLIATIVE CARE OF PATIENT WITH GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER IN FAMILY MEDICINE
MILICA KATIĆ
; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Zagreb-Centar Health Center, Zagreb, Croatia
ĐURĐICA KAŠUBA LAZIĆ
; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Zagreb-Centar Health Center, Zagreb, Croatia
DRAGAN SOLDO
; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Zagreb-Centar Health Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Palliative care is defi ned as the care for patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. The goals of palliative
care are symptom control, life prolongation and enabling the best possible quality of life for patients and their families. For most
patients with an advanced progressive incurable disease, 90% of care in their last year of life is provided at home by family physician
and his team and patient family. Patients suffering from cancer have a mean of of 11.9 symptoms in the last three months
of life. The most common symptoms are digestive tract symptoms and pain. The growth and spread of cancer, as well as the
therapeutic procedures applied are the most important causes of symptoms. The most common symptoms in patients with cancer
of digestive system are nausea, vomiting, constipation, pain, cachexia, anorexia, and psychological problems. These most
common symptoms and many others will be of varying intensity and appearance depending on localization and aggressiveness
of digestive system cancer, modality of treatment and patient condition. Patients with advanced cancer have longer survival
and all health care professionals involved in the care of patients should have more knowledge and skills necessary to effectively
treat various symptoms. Coordination, organization and implementation of palliative care in family medicine, when large part of
care is provided at patient home, are one of the most complex tasks of family physician. This task requires a family practitioner with specifi c knowledge and skills to know how effectively control a number of symptoms and to provide adequate support to the patient and his family. Communication between doctor and patient suffering from advanced cancer of digestive system is a fundamental aspect of care. The quality of communication signifi cantly affects the course of treatment, the benefi t to patients and their families, the choice of treatment and adherence to treatment, as well as care planning. In the management of patients with advanced cancer of the digestive system, family physician should use holistic approach and respect the patient as a person and his decision.
Keywords
palliative care; gastrointestinal cancer patients; family medicine
Hrčak ID:
154149
URI
Publication date:
12.3.2016.
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