The role of radiotherapy in hospice care
Nishimura, T.; Hara, Y.; Chihara, S.; Sugiyama, A.; Shimizu, T.; Ichinohe, K.; Teshima, T.; Kaneko, M.
Gan no Rinsho. Japan Journal of Cancer Clinics 35(2): 286-291
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-4949 PMID: 2467999 Document Number: 336474
The aim of palliative radiotherapy for the terminally ill is to improve the quality of the remaining span of life. From November 1982 to September 1987, 69 patients in the Seirei Hospice have been treated with such radiotherapy, and symptomatic relief was obtained in 64% of these patients. Radiotherapy also proved useful in achieving an improvement in their performance status. While the aim of hospice care is not directed towards treatment of the underlying disease, the use of radiotherapy is considered to have an important role in hospice care.