Palliative Care

Palliative care can be defined as an approach that improves the quality of life of patients who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illnesses. Primary tumours or metastatic deposits may cause symptoms that are distressing to patients or their families. Radiotherapy is an essential part of palliative care in cancer and is used to alleviate the symptoms such as pain, bleeding, and discharge caused by tumours. A variety of radiotherapy techniques can be used but even simpler ones can provide adequate relief.  

Hypofractionation is commonly utilized in palliation and involves the use of shorter schedules in radiotherapy. The benefit is similar to longer schedules and so it is an efficient way of treatment as the patient can complete treatment quicker.   

Many patients around the world present with cancer at late stages.  The proportion of patients presenting with advanced cancer may be greater in less developed countries due to poor access to adequate facilities for diagnosis and treatment. Some malignancies e.g., cervical cancer pose a significant health burden in low and middle-income countries. It can cause symptoms such as severe pain which could be alleviated by short courses of palliative radiotherapy. Often, it also reduces the need for analgesia. 

Therefore, radiotherapy is an important part of palliative cancer care and is recommended as part of any functioning health system.