Symptom Relief and Palliative Care in Patients with Advanced Cancer Unlikely to Benefit from Chemotherapy: Clinical Evidence and Guidelines

Question

1. What are the clinical benefits and harms of symptom relief and palliative care in patients with advanced cancer unlikely to benefit from chemotherapy?
2. What are the clinical benefits and harms of palliative care for patients with serious illness who have physical, psychological, social, or spiritual distress because they are pursuing disease-directed treatment?
3. What are the evidence-based guidelines for symptom relief and palliative care in patients with advanced cancer unlikely to benefit from chemotherapy?
4. What are the evidence-based guidelines for palliative care for patients with serious illness who have physical, psychological, social, or spiritual distress because they are pursuing disease-directed treatment?

Key Message

Eight systematic reviews and eight evidence-based guidelines were identified regarding symptom relief and palliative care in cancer.