When there are no reasonable treatments left, patients should be encouraged to transition to palliative care.
Oncologists Should Have Early Conversations About Prognosis with Patients with Advanced Cancer
Journal of Clinical Oncology article
The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends that after patients are diagnosed with advanced cancer, physicians should have realistic conversations with them regarding prognosis, preferences, and treatment options. Currently, such discussions occur with less than 40% of patients.
Among the goals for individualized care that are outlined in the article, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology:
- Anticancer therapy should be discussed with patients when it appears that it would provide a "meaningful clinical benefit." These conversations should include the likelihood and nature of clinical response and potential adverse effects and risks.
- Discussions about quality of life should occur at diagnosis and through the course of the illness in conjunction with developing a treatment plan.
- Patients should be given the option to participate in clinical trials.
- When there are no reasonable treatments left, patients should be encouraged to transition to palliative care.