Palliative surgery of the gastrointestinal tract
Saarnio, J.; Huhtinen, H.; Grönroos, J.
Duodecim; Laaketieteellinen Aikakauskirja 129(4): 418-422
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-7183 PMID: 23484359 Document Number: 670536
Palliative surgery refers to surgical procedures that alleviate the symptoms of a patient having incurable cancer and in many cases also improve the quality of life. Regrettably often gastrointestinal cancers have progressed beyond curative surgical therapy at the time of diagnosis. Palliative surgery aims to provide a patient having an incurable cancer good-quality days of life by using treatment methods that are putting as little strain as possible on the patient. In addition to clinical expertise, communication skills are an essential part of palliative surgery know-how.