Review article

Palliative care of patients with colorectal cancer

Katja Ćulav ; Department of Anesthesiology; Reanimatology and Intensive care; University Hospital for Tumors; Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center; Zagreb; Croatia
Stanka Misir-Šitum ; Department of Anesthesiology; Reanimatology and Intensive care; University Hospital for Tumors; Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center; Zagreb; Croatia
Ljilja Štefančić ; Department of Anesthesiology; Reanimatology and Intensive care; University Hospital for Tumors; Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center; Zagreb; Croatia

Abstract

Metastatic colorectal cancer has a poor prognosis, several treatment options are available to deal with various complications that may appear in those patients. Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of patients’ lives by solving problems caused by disease progression including addressing the physical complications and symptoms it causes, pain relief, psychological support to patients and their families and caregivers. It is carried out by a multidisciplinary team that includes physicians, pharmacists, nurses, chaplains, social workers, psychologists, etc. Many equate palliative care to hospice, although they overlap in one part they should be distinguished. Palliative medicine is appropriate for patients in all disease stages, it can be provided along with curative treatment, as well as patients who are near the end of life. Hospice care provides palliative care for people who are close to the end of life, not intending to speed up or prolong the dying process. Focus is instead on relieving pain and other symptoms.

Keywords

colorectal cancer; rectal cancer; palliative care guidelines; pain management; palliative care; end of life care; hospice

Hrčak ID:

200646

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/200646

Publication date:

27.12.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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