Palliative therapy for liver cancer | Palliative therapy

Palliative therapy for liver cancer

Palliative therapy for liver cancer is used when the disease has progressed so far that a cure can no longer be achieved. The aim is to treat or prevent the typical complications of the disease as best as possible. Advanced liver cancer, for example, can lead to obstruction of the bile duct depending on the location of the tumor.

In order to prevent bile accumulation and subsequent jaundice, a tube (stent) can be inserted into the bile duct with palliative intent to keep it open and prevent compression by the tumor. In addition, sorafenib has been available for several years as a drug that can reduce the general progression of the disease and improve the quality of life of patients. Otherwise, adequate pain management, psycho-oncological and psychosocial support of the patient is also a priority in the treatment of end-stage liver cancer.

Palliative therapy for colorectal cancer

In the case of colorectal cancer that is no longer curable, a palliative therapy concept is considered, which is intended to alleviate the suffering of the patient and prevent the occurrence of complications. In colorectal cancer, there is a risk that the intestine is displaced by local tumor growth, resulting in a life-threatening intestinal obstruction. It may therefore be advisable to remove the tumor locally to prevent this.

Also, an artificial bowel outlet (stoma) can be created in palliative intention to ensure the expulsion of stool. In addition, palliative chemotherapy can be used in the case of end-stage colorectal cancer, which can slow down the progression of the disease. Furthermore, individual pain therapy, psychosocial care, pastoral care and nutritional therapy are part of the palliative therapy concept for colorectal cancer.

Palliative care

Palliative medicine is a medical specialty in its own right, which deals with the care of seriously ill patients who can no longer be given curative treatment. Patients are often cared for by a so-called palliative team, which is made up of people from different professional groups who work in a multidisciplinary manner in order to best meet the individual needs of each patient. For example, a palliative team includes doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, physiotherapists, nutritionists and pastoral workers.

The focus is on improving the quality of life of patients with limited life expectancy, without concentrating solely on prolonging life. The suffering of the patients is to be alleviated in the best possible way in order to enable them to live the rest of their lives with as much dignity as possible. In Germany, palliative care was established in 2003 as a separate additional training course for physicians.