A prospective evaluation of patients undergoing surgery for the palliation of an advanced malignancy Journal Article
| Authors: | Miner, T. J.; Jaques, D. P.; Shriver, C. D. |
| Article Title: | A prospective evaluation of patients undergoing surgery for the palliation of an advanced malignancy |
| Abstract: | Background: Decisions regarding the use of surgical procedures for the palliation of symptoms caused by advanced malignancies require the highest level of surgical judgment. Prospective analysis of palliative surgical care may facilitate a more effective and representative evaluation of these patients. Methods: Patients requiring surgery planned solely for the palliation of an advanced malignancy were offered entry onto this study. Outcome measurements were made before surgery and monthly thereafter until the patient's death. Accepted techniques of pain assessment, quality of life, and functional status were used. Results: Between May 1997 and December 1999, 26 patients were enrolled. Although 46% (12 of 26) of patients demonstrated improvement in pain control or quality of life after palliative surgery, these benefits lasted a median of only 3.4 months. Palliative surgery was associated with significant postoperative complications in 35% (9 of 26) patients. Conclusions: Although many patients had no apparent demonstrable benefit from surgery, surgeons were able to identify a group of patients who experienced significant benefits after a palliative procedure. The relationships between the patient and family members and the surgeon play an important role in decision-making throughout the palliative phase of cancer treatment. |
| Keywords: | adult; clinical article; controlled study; aged; cancer surgery; survival rate; treatment failure; advanced cancer; patient selection; prospective studies; neoplasms; cancer palliative therapy; palliative care; quality of life; pain; cancer pain; survival time; pilot projects; surgical risk; surgery; outcomes research; palliation; outcome analysis; cancer; humans; human; male; female; article; district of columbia |
| Journal Title: | Annals of Surgical Oncology |
| Volume: | 9 |
| Issue: | 7 |
| ISSN: | 1068-9265 |
| Publisher: | Springer |
| Date Published: | 2002-08-01 |
| Start Page: | 696 |
| End Page: | 703 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1245/aso.2002.9.7.696 |
| PUBMED: | 12167585 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Export Date: 14 November 2014 -- Source: Scopus |
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