Supportive Care and Palliative Treatment

Palliative care is a specialized field that aims to reduce symptoms and maximize the patient’s quality of life. Palliative care does not focus on curing the disease or prolonging life, which is the goal of other cancer treatments.

However, palliative care is an important part of the patient’s treatment plan and encompasses physical symptoms, psychosocial distress, spiritual distress, and caregiver distress.¹

Palliative care is usually provided by several healthcare professionals working together. The team may include doctors, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, psychologists, and social workers.²

Palliative care for physical symptoms

People with advanced lung cancer experience the most troubling symptoms as well as dealing with potential side effects from treatment. Symptom management is one of the critical parts of care for people with advanced disease.

The most common physical symptoms of late-stage lung cancer include:¹

• Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness
• Pain

Palliative care therapies that may be used to address physical symptoms include the following approaches:¹

Exercise

Exercise has been shown to reduce the severity of fatigue, improve emotional well-being, and improve the ability to perform daily activities in people with lung cancer. Studies have suggested that people who receive physical therapy earlier in their treatment are more likely to stick to and tolerate physical activity, which has many positive effects on endurance and overall quality of life.¹

Nutrition

Weight loss and malnutrition are linked to an increased risk of complications following surgery. They can also impact the ability to receive treatments like chemotherapy. Research suggests that patients’ nutritional intake, imbalances, and supplementation should be assessed early in treatment and throughout the treatment timeframe.¹

Pain management

Research shows that 75 percent of all people with cancer experience chronic pain, and pain is the most common symptom reported by people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Pain management often requires a comprehensive approach. Treatments may include medicines like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioid analgesics. Radiofrequency ablation and radiation therapy may help reduce pain in areas where the cancer has spread. Complementary therapies such as massage and acupuncture can also provide pain relief for some people.¹

Respiratory support

Respiratory symptoms like difficulty breathing and cough may be treated with medication, oxygen therapy, breathing exercises, and smoking cessation (stopping smoking).¹

Palliative care for mental and emotional symptoms

Besides addressing the physical symptoms of lung cancer, palliative care also addresses the mental, social, spiritual, and financial well-being of people undergoing treatment.

People with lung cancer, especially those with more severe symptoms and functional limitations, often experience depression and anxiety. Some research has shown that depression is a sign of worse survival in cancer.

People with lung cancer may also experience challenges with family relationships, financial issues, or child care. Patients should receive referrals to social workers, care coordinators, financial specialists, mental health professionals, or spiritual counselors, based on their needs.¹