Palliative treatment aims to manage symptoms without trying to cure the disease. It can be used at any stage of advanced lung cancer to improve quality of life and does not mean giving up hope.
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses such as lung cancer. It focuses on providing relief from symptoms, pain and stress. The goal is to improve quality of life for both you and your family.
Palliative care is care that helps people live their life as fully and as comfortably as possible when living with a life-limiting or terminal illness. It is often given to people with advanced cancer but palliative care can be used at any stage when cancer is active.
Doctors classify lung cancer as a terminal illness. Approximately 16% of people with this type of cancer survive more than 5 years after their initial diagnosis. Various factors influence a person's life expectancy estimate following a diagnosis of lung cancer.
Diagnosis and duration of palliative care
The median duration of palliative care for patients with cancer was 37 days (MAD=31 days).
Symptoms that are common towards the end of life in lung cancer include pain, dyspnoea, delirium and respiratory secretions. Such symptoms need to be anticipated and addressed promptly with appropriate medications and explanations to the patient and family.
Respiratory failure is the immediate cause of mortality in about 38% of lung cancer deaths. 1 But different factors lead to a lack of oxygen including tumor burden, pneumonia, or hemorrhage. Often, more than one condition contributes to death.
Stage 4 lung cancer, also called metastatic lung cancer, is an advanced disease. In stage 4 lung cancer, the cancer has spread from the lung, where it originated, to other parts of the body. Metastasis occurs when cancer cells separate from the original tumor and move through the body via the blood or lymph system.
More than half of people with lung cancer die within one year of being diagnosed.
No, palliative care does not mean death. However, palliative care does serve many people with life-threatening or terminal illnesses. But, palliative care also helps patients stay on track with their health care goals.
No. Although it can include end of life care, palliative care is much broader and can last for longer. Having palliative care doesn't necessarily mean that you're likely to die soon – some people have palliative care for years. End of life care offers treatment and support for people who are near the end of their life.
Palliative care is about living in a way that is meaningful to you, within the limits of your illness. It's not simply about dying. Some people live comfortably for months or years after a diagnosis of advanced cancer, and can be supported by palliative care as needed.
The aim of palliative treatment is to relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life. It can be used at any stage of an illness if there are troubling symptoms, such as pain or sickness. In advanced cancer, palliative treatment might help someone to live longer and more comfortably, even if they cannot be cured.
We sometimes experience unexpected sudden death (USD) of in-hospital patients, including the patients with lung cancer. However, information of sudden death of the patients with cancer is limited.
The rate at which lung cancer spreads varies from patient to patient. But, generally speaking, lung cancer is typically a cancer that grows quickly and spreads early.
Just 19% of those diagnosed at stage 4 survive more than 12 months. But now more than ever, those living with lung cancer are living better, longer lives thanks to the power of research and advancements in treatment.
SCLC is the most aggressive form of lung cancer. It usually starts in the breathing tubes (bronchi) in the center of the chest. Although the cancer cells are small, they grow very quickly and create large tumors.
Initially, the main symptoms involve the respiratory system. In the later stages of lung cancer, especially if it spreads to distant areas, it can affect many systems in your body. Initially, it affects only the lungs and respiratory system. Other symptoms vary depending on where the cancer migrates.
Unlike some other cancers, lung cancer usually has no noticeable symptoms until it's in an advanced stage. When the tumor grows large enough to press against other organs it causes pain and discomfort.
If lung cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it may cause: Bone pain (like pain in the back or hips) Nervous system changes (such as headache, weakness or numbness of an arm or leg, dizziness, balance problems, or seizures), from cancer spread to the brain.
While it's possible for lung cancer to spread virtually anywhere, it most commonly metastasizes in the liver, brain, bones or adrenal glands.
Typically, your doctor may recommend hospice when treatments stop working and if they think you may have less than 6 months to live. More than half of those who have lung cancer on average live less than 1 year after their diagnosis.