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L. Darlison
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GR 02 - Difficult Mesothelioma Cases (ID 15)
- Event: WCLC 2015
- Type: Grand Rounds
- Track: Thymoma, Mesothelioma and Other Thoracic Malignancies
- Presentations: 1
- Moderators:J. de la Garza, A. Rimner, A. Tsao
- Coordinates: 9/08/2015, 14:15 - 15:45, 102+104+106
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GR02.04 - Addressing the Needs of the Mesothelioma Patient Who Has Exhausted Treatment Options: Palliation and Support for Family and Patient (ID 1835)
15:20 - 15:45 | Author(s): L. Darlison
- Abstract
Abstract:
The care of people with end-stage mesothelioma is complex due to the interplay of severe physical symptoms, intense psychological distress, and social factors related to mesothelioma being a fatal occupational disease. In comparison with people suffering from lung cancer, patients with mesothelioma experience more pain and greater negative impact on role and functioning and insomnia (1). Patients and family members should expect effective management of symptoms, support during the continuum of the illness and a rapid response to crisis. The high symptom burden experienced by patients with mesothelioma in the last year of life is shown in the table below (2):
Patients with incurable disease deserve and need to receive clear information and to share in the decision-making about each stage of their cancer journey. Once oncological treatments are exhausted, healthcare professionals hold the responsibility for helping patients and their families shift their expectation from “cure” to palliation of symptoms. A care plan for a good death needs to be sensitively eased into the clinical discussions, taking into account each individual patient’s preferences (3). In rare diseases such as mesothelioma a feeling of isolation tends to overwhelm the patient and their family. Unlike most cancers mesothelioma has an explained occupational and/or environmental cause. In many cases understanding that the fatal illness was caused by asbestos exposure due to neglect of health and safety precautions at work can lead to blame, anger, depression and inability to cope. The complicated processes concerning claims for welfare benefits and civil compensation litigation often exacerbate this psychological distress. Meeting the care needs of patients and their families in this situation requires a compassionate and specialised multi-disciplinary approach. Expert timely supportive and palliative care can address the burdens associated with advanced disease and guide the patient and family in accepting and planning for a good death. Transition to focus care on the family during the grief process completes the cycle in the care of the mesothelioma patient and family. Panel discussion will include the following areas: · Advanced education and the expanded role of a nursing team solely focused on mesothelioma (4). · The roles and availability of on-line, in person and telephone support groups · The need for early referral into palliative, supportive and hospice care References 1. Nowak AK, Stockler MR, Byrne MJ (2004) Assessing quality of life during chemotherapy for pleural mesothelioma: feasibility, validity, and results of using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire and Lung Cancer Module. J Clin Oncol. Aug 1;22 (15):3172-80. 2. Clayson H (2007) Thesis: The Experience of Mesothelioma in Northern England. University of Sheffield. Available online at etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/1775/ 3. Pass HI, Hesdorfer M, Lake SE, Lake SA. (2012) 100 Questions and Answers about Mesothelioma. Third Edition 4. Moore S, Darlison L (2011) Improving the nursing care of patients with mesothelioma. Nurs Stand May 25-31;25(38):35-8Pleural mesothelioma: Symptoms in the last year of life Breathlessness 96% Social 16% Pain 91% Nausea 14% Cough 41% Fatigue 13% Weight loss 41% Dysphagia 11% Anxiety 31% Psychiatric 10% Anorexia (loss of appetite) 25% Constipation 8% Depression 19% Ascites 8% Sweating 18% Vomiting 5% Emotional disturbance 16% Painful metastasis 5%
