The care of the terminal patient

Abstract

According to the Institute of Medicine, at the beginning of the 21st century, half of all patients diagnosed with cancer will die of their disease within a few years. This statistic does not fully explain the reality of the illness and its repercussions for the individuals living with cancer and their families and friends. Many patients live through a final period of life when health professionals, in concert with the patient, must acknowledge that there are no reasonable treatments that remain untried. The patient will most probably die of complications of the cancer. This is a stressful period when health professionals must continue their efforts to treat the patient's suffering and alleviate onerous symptoms. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.