[Early palliative care in oncology].

Abstract

Early palliative care is now recommended in international guidelines. A meta-analyze combining seven randomized studies has been published in 2007. It confirms that early palliative care improves patient s quality of life and reduces symptom burden. There is also a trend for the reduction of depressive disorder and the increase of overall survival. Other studies show that early palliative care improves quality of life of patient s relatives and reduces end of life care aggressiveness. Most of the time, early palliative care is introduced as soon as the diagnosis of advanced cancer is made, and the precise referral criteria need to be addressed. Other studies have assessed the palliative care consultation; patient-centered care, focusing on symptom management, filling information and education needs about illness and prognosis, helping psychologic adaptation and coping.