Palliative Care, Rehabilitation, and Supportive Care in Neuro-Oncology

Abstract

Abstract Palliative care is defined as a multidisciplinary approach oriented toward improvements in quality of life, reduction of symptom burden, and prevention of suffering in patients facing life-limiting conditions. This is of considerable importance in individuals with neuro-oncological diseases given the high symptom burden and disease-related mortality these patients often face. This chapter examines the role of palliative care in neuro-oncology throughout the course of treatment and at the end-of-life (EOL) phase. Palliative care discussions should occur early in the disease course and involve multiple parties, including the patient and caregivers, primary healthcare provider, and dedicated palliative care specialist. Headache, nausea, seizures, and fatigue are among the most prevailing symptoms experienced that can be best addressed with aggressive supportive care measures. Severe debilitation is a common consequence of neuro-oncologic malignancies and the treatments used to combat them, causing drastic physical, cognitive, and psycho-social distress to patients and caregivers. Rehabilitation constitutes a significant portion of the palliative care approach; the goals of rehab should be congruent with expectations of patients’ overall care. This chapter also discusses palliative care strategies in managing patients in the EOL phase.