Title:Challenges in Lung Cancer Approaches: from the Clinical Issues to the Novel Therapies
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Author(s): Silvia Patrícia Coelho, Manuel Luis Capelas, Sandra Marlene Alves, Luis Sá and Ramon Andrade de Mello
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Approaches, dyspnea, integrative review, lung cancer, palliative care, quality of life, symptoms control.
Abstract: Background: Lung cancer is currently one of the most common malignant neoplasms worldwide. Distress
symptoms related to the primary disease or in combination with disease progression have challenges faced by the patients,
family, and their multidisciplinary team. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the benefits of an integrated palliative
care approach for lung cancer patients at the time of diagnosis and to analyze the main symptoms and its treatment. Methods:
We performed an integrative review of the databases ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, CINAHL and Academic
Search Complete using the keywords “lung cancer”, “palliative care”, “approaches” and “therapies”. The research and
documentation were carried in accordance with the guideline PRISMA 2009. Results: Among 164 articles found in the
searched databases, only 33 were selected due to their suitability and relevance to the subject with respect to the inclusion
criteria defined. The evidence showed that early inclusion of palliative or supportive care could originate a satisfactory
resolution of most of the symptoms and promote quality of life for the patients and their families. Conclusion: Early palliative
care led to significant improvements in the patient’s quality of life and mood. The focus on care was the management
of symptoms and the well-being of the patients be in a hospital or in a home setting.
