Latest Cancer TreatmentsDr. Mohammadreza Dabiri
Dr. Mohammadreza Dabiriفارسی
Physician lesson

Early palliative care in advanced cancer

Who, when and how; alongside cancer treatment, not instead of it

Updated: 28 October 20261 min read3 references

Key points

  • ASCO: patients with advanced cancer should receive specialist palliative care early (within 8 weeks of diagnosis) and at the same time as active treatment [2].
  • In the Temel study, early palliative care improved quality of life, reduced depression, and patients lived longer [1].
  • Palliative care means symptom control and support, not stopping treatment.

Evidence

In 151 patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, monthly visits from the palliative care team from the start of treatment improved quality of life, reduced depressive symptoms, reduced aggressive end-of-life treatment, and median survival was 11.6 vs 8.9 months [1].

Components of palliative care

Symptom control

Pain (opioid conversion), breathlessness, nausea, constipation, fatigue and insomnia [3].

Discussing goals

The patient's understanding of prognosis, preferences and the plan ahead; recording decisions.

Psychological and family support

Anxiety and depression in the patient and carers.

Coordination

Care at home and the right time to stop treatments that no longer help.

For patients: Cancer pain

References

3 references
Show all references, 1 with a study cardClose the reference list

Numbers in the text, such as [1], refer to these sources. Sources with a “Study card” button are summarised in the site’s evidence library.

  1. 1
    Early palliative care for patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancerTemel JS, Greer JA, Muzikansky A, et al · N Engl J Med · 2010;363:733-42
    Study cardDOIPubMed Back to text: 1 2
  2. 2
    Integration of Palliative Care Into Standard Oncology Care: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline UpdateFerrell BR, Temel JS, Temin S, et al · J Clin Oncol · 2017;35:96-112
    DOIPubMed Back to text
  3. 3
    Management of cancer pain in adult patients: ESMO Clinical Practice GuidelinesFallon M, Giusti R, Aielli F, et al · Ann Oncol · 2018;29:iv166-iv191
    DOIPubMed Back to text

This page is based on reputable scientific sources and was last updated on 28 October 2026. The content of this website is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a specialist physician. Consult your treating physician about any treatment decision.

Printed from the website; the full and up-to-date version: https://drdabiri.com/en/learn/early-palliative-care-oncology/

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