Home > Encyclopedia of Medicine > Cancer Therapy, Palliative

Definition

Palliative cancer therapy is treatment specifically directed to help improve the symptoms associated with terminal cancer.

Purpose

Palliative care is directed to improving symptoms associated with incurable cancer. Care can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, symptomatic treatments resulting from cancer, and side effects of treatment. The primary objective of palliative care is to improve the quality of remaining duration of life. Treatment usually involves a combination of modalities (multimodality approach) and numerous specialists are typically involved in the treatment planning process. Therapeutic planning usually involves meticulous coordination with the treatment team.