Palliative Care
In the meantime, hematologists who treat blood cancers can
still glean valuable direction from
studies involving solid tumor patients. “There really are not enough
role models in hematology to base
practice on,” Dr. Back conceded. “But
in the absence of that, why not look
to solid tumors for an outline of a
system that can provide value? Maybe
when we apply that system, it will allow us to give the most aggressive
treatment, as long as the patient
can manage it, but then pivot into
appropriate palliative care when
necessary.”
One of the great success
stories with palliative care
in solid tumors is symptom
management, Ms. Long added.
The reality is patients are fairly
miserable during treatment and
the stress of that may play a
role in the effectiveness of the
therapy.
“If I can focus on helping the
patient feel better – better pain
control, less nausea, improved
appetite – and maintain his or
her QOL, it allows a space for
the treatment to work,” she said.
“I tell patients: ‘I