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memo - Magazine of European Medical Oncology
Published in: memo - Magazine of European Medical Oncology 1/2020

01-03-2020 | Care | short review

Importance of avoiding late cancer-directed therapy in terminally ill cancer patients

Author: Dr. Daniela Jahn-Kuch, MSc

Published in: memo - Magazine of European Medical Oncology | Issue 1/2020

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Summary

It is undeniably a great challenge to adequately weigh the benefits and harms of tumor-specific therapy near the end of life and to find the right time for changing the objective of therapy to palliative care alone. In a curative situation, the “survival” benefit of the treatment outweighs its potential harm due to side effects. However, things are different when the possibility of cure is ruled out. Important prerequisites to avoid overly zealous care are adequate communication about the therapeutic options and consensus between the doctor and the patient with regard to the (realistic) therapeutic goal, a realistic estimated prognosis and early integration of palliative care.
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Metadata
Title
Importance of avoiding late cancer-directed therapy in terminally ill cancer patients
Author
Dr. Daniela Jahn-Kuch, MSc
Publication date
01-03-2020
Publisher
Springer Vienna
Keyword
Care
Published in
memo - Magazine of European Medical Oncology / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 1865-5041
Electronic ISSN: 1865-5076
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12254-019-00564-1

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