Cancer is a broad term for a myriad of over 100 types of cancers. It develops when the cells in the body multiply abnormally, causing a growth or tumor. A tumor can be benign, which means it is usually not life threatening and often removed easily, or it can be malignant, meaning cancer.
Malignant cells within a tumor have the ability to invade surrounding tissues or to break off into the bloodstream to spread throughout the body. This process of cancer spreading is called metastasis.
The treatment for cancer can vary a great deal. Treatment for lung cancer will be vastly different than the treatment for brain cancer. Even treatment for two different patients with lung cancer can vary depending on the stage and location of the cancer, sites of metastasis, and the treating oncologist.
If the first treatment isn’t successful at killing cancer cells, other treatments will likely be tried. Palliative care is always appropriate throughout cancer treatment to alleviate symptoms of the disease and the side effects of the treatments. In fact, palliative care was started as a way to improve the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing treatment. Patients with advanced cancer should consult with a palliative care team whenever possible.
When it becomes evident that cancer treatment is no longer working or that a cancer patient can’t tolerate the effects of any more treatment, comfort care, or hospice, becomes appropriate.
Choosing hospice care once cancer treatment becomes futile doesn’t mean you’re giving up. If you have gotten the opinion of a board certified oncologist, preferably more than one, that cancer treatment is not working or that you cannot physically tolerate any more aggressive treatment, choosing hospice may be a great option to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Hospice never means giving up hope, but may mean redefining hope based on your goals and personal values.
Source:
Ferrell, BR and Coyle, N; Textbook of Palliative Nursing, Oxford University Press, 2006.
