From the Guidelines
Palliative care patients generally do not become cured or enter remission, as palliative care is specifically designed for people with serious illnesses that are unlikely to be cured. The primary focus of palliative care is to provide relief from symptoms, pain, and stress of serious illness, improving quality of life for both the patient and family, rather than seeking to cure the underlying disease 1. This type of care is typically provided alongside curative treatments for patients with conditions like advanced cancer, end-stage heart or lung disease, dementia, or other life-limiting illnesses. While some patients receiving palliative care may have their condition stabilize temporarily or experience periods of improved symptoms, this should not be confused with cure or remission of their underlying disease. Key aspects of palliative care include:
- Providing relief from symptoms, pain, and stress of serious illness
- Improving quality of life for both the patient and family
- Assisting with medical decision-making during serious illness, regardless of prognosis
- Focusing on comfort and dignity through symptom management and emotional support It's essential to note that the percentage of palliative care patients who experience cure or remission is extremely low, essentially approaching zero percent for most terminal conditions, as highlighted in the context of palliative and end-of-life care in lung cancer 1.
From the Research
Palliative Care and Cure/Remission Rates
- There is limited research directly addressing the percentage of palliative care patients who become cured or enter remission 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Studies focus more on the management of symptoms, quality of life, and the role of palliative treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy in advanced cancer patients 2, 4, 6.
- The effectiveness of palliative care programs is often measured by improvements in symptom control, pain relief, emotional and spiritual support, and patient satisfaction, rather than cure rates 5.
Factors Influencing Treatment Outcomes
- Patient perceptions of treatment intent, whether curative or noncurative, can significantly impact their understanding of their prognosis and treatment outcomes 4.
- Factors such as age, performance status, and the presence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation orders can influence the use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in palliative care settings 6.
- The integration of palliative care into curative care practices earlier in the disease trajectory can lead to improved patient satisfaction, reduced acute care use, and lower costs of care 5.
Palliative Treatments and Symptom Management
- Palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy can provide significant symptom relief for advanced cancer patients, with rates of palliation ranging from 50-80% for certain symptoms like chest pain and hemoptysis 2.
- The choice between different palliative treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, should be based on individual patient needs, performance status, and treatment goals 2, 6.