Open AccessGlioblastoma and Palliative Care
Author(s) -
Rafisah Sekeff Simão Alencar,
Larissa Bispo Alves Roncen,
Maria Eduarda de Oliveira Rodrigues,
Marcos Curcio Angelini
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
DOI - 10.5327/1516-3180.090
Subject(s) - palliative care , medicine , glioblastoma , quality of life (healthcare) , disease , stage (stratigraphy) , intensive care medicine , cancer , performance status , oncology , nursing , paleontology , cancer research , biology
Background: Glioblastoma is a primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system with 12 to 15 month survival. Its prognosis, considering the initial diagnosis, equals to stage 4 of other types of cancer, being recommended to consider palliative care, with advanced care planning, at an early stage of the disease. Such care is complex due to the significant symptoms, being necessary to reduce the symptomatic charge to maintain the patient’s quality of life. Objective: Analyze the early practice of palliation in patients with glioblastoma. Methods: A literature review was carried out on the PubMed, BVS and Scielo platforms using the descriptors: “Glioblastoma” AND “Palliative Care.” 7 articles were selected in the english language, published in the last 5 years. Results: The quality of life of patients with glioblastoma gradually reduces. In that sense, cognitive decline compromises end-of-life care with relation to patient autonomy. However, antecipate guidelines were found completed late to the course of the disease, possibly after loss of decisionmaking capacity. Moreover, despite the proven benefits of palliation, early involvement of palliative care is rare in neuro- oncology, with the excessive use of chemotherapy among terminal patients. Conclusions: The late practice of palliation and of early guidelines in patients with glioblastoma affect the management of symptoms and quality of life of those patients.