Palliative Care for Patients with Cancer
Publication Date: May 15, 2024
Last Updated: May 15, 2024
Treatment
Treatment Recommendations
General Note: The following recommendations (strong or weak) represent reasonable options for patients, depending on clinical circumstances and in the context of individual patient preferences. Recommended care should be accessible to patients whenever possible.
Please note that ASCO used guideline methodology for the modified and new recommendations according to the current ASCO Methodology Manual, which was updated since the prior guideline.
The methodology for Recommendations 1a. and 1b. was developed by previous methodology (2016 methodology described here: ms_2016.701474.pdf (ascopubs.org)).
The methodology for Recommendations 1a. and 1b. was developed by previous methodology (2016 methodology described here: ms_2016.701474.pdf (ascopubs.org)).
Recommendation 1
Clinicians should refer patients with advanced solid tumors and hematologic malignancies to specialized interdisciplinary palliative care teams that provide inpatient and outpatient care early in the course of disease, alongside active treatment of their cancer. (EB, , I, S)
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Recommendation 1a
Palliative care for patients with advanced cancer should be delivered through interdisciplinary palliative care teams, with consultation available in both outpatient and inpatient settings. (EB, , I, M)
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Recommendation 1b
Patients with advanced cancer should receive palliative care services, which may include a referral to a palliative care provider. Essential components of palliative care include:
- Rapport and relationship building with patient and family caregivers
- Symptom, distress, and functional status management (e.g., pain, dyspnea, fatigue, sleep disturbance, mood, nausea, or constipation)
- Exploration of understanding and education about illness and prognosis
- Clarification of treatment goals
- Assessment and support of coping and spiritual needs
- Assistance with medical decision making
- Coordination with other care providers
- Provision of referrals to other care providers as indicated
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Recommendation 2
Among patients with cancer with unaddressed physical, psychosocial, or spiritual distress, cancer care programs should provide dedicated specialist palliative care services to complement existing or emerging supportive care interventions. (IC, , L, W)
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Recommendation 3
Clinicians from across the interdisciplinary cancer care team may refer the caregivers (including family, chosen family, and friends) of patients with cancer to palliative care teams for additional support. (IC, , L, W)
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Recommendation 4
For patients with advanced cancer, the Expert Panel recommends early specialist palliative care involvement, especially for patients with uncontrolled symptoms and/or quality of life (QOL) concerns. (IC, , L, W)
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Recommendation 5
Clinicians should refer patients with hematologic malignancies to specialist palliative care. (EB, , M, W)
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Recommendation 6
Clinicians caring for patients in early-phase clinical trials, including phase I, may refer patients to specialist palliative care to assess and address the needs of patients with advanced solid tumors. (IC, , L, W)
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Recommendation Grading
Disclaimer
The information in this patient summary should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.
Overview
Title
Palliative Care for Patients with Cancer
Authoring Organization
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Publication Month/Year
May 15, 2024
Last Updated Month/Year
May 22, 2024
Supplemental Implementation Tools
Document Type
Guideline
Country of Publication
US
Inclusion Criteria
Male, Female, Adult, Older adult
Health Care Settings
Ambulatory, Home health, Hospice, Hospital, Outpatient
Intended Users
Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant
Scope
Treatment
Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)
D010166 - Palliative Care, D064946 - Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing, D065126 - Palliative Medicine
Keywords
palliative care, Advanced cancer, advanced solid tumors, hematologic malignancies
Source Citation
Sanders JJ, Temin S, Ghosal A, et al. Palliative Care for Patients with Cancer: ASCO Guideline Update. J Clin Oncol. 2024 May 15. doi: 10.1200/JCO.24.00542
Supplemental Methodology Resources
Methodology
Number of Source Documents
94
Literature Search Start Date
January 1, 2015
Literature Search End Date
January 1, 2023