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Chemotherapy at end-of-life: an integration of oncology and palliative team

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Abstract

Palliative chemotherapy is increasingly used in cancer patients near end of life. With the development of newer anticancer agents which have less side effects and higher expected efficacy, the decision on palliative chemotherapy in patients near end of life is complex. This article illustrates how oncologist and palliative care physicians can work together effectively. This article also gives an overview about the risks of palliative chemotherapy near end of life, patients’ and physicians’ perspectives in choosing the aggressive treatment and describes what an oncologist should do when facing this challenging situation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, 1/F Professorial Block, 102 Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

    Wing-lok Chan, Wai-kwan Siu & Kwok-keung Yuen

  2. Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

    Ka-on Lam

Authors
  1. Wing-lok Chan
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  2. Ka-on Lam
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  3. Wai-kwan Siu
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  4. Kwok-keung Yuen
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Correspondence to Wing-lok Chan.

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Chan, Wl., Lam, Ko., Siu, Wk. et al. Chemotherapy at end-of-life: an integration of oncology and palliative team. Support Care Cancer 24, 1421–1427 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-3031-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-3031-z

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