Abstract
A study by Bruera et al. published in a recent issue of The Oncologist is discussed.
A recent paper by Bruera et al. [1] convincingly supported the importance of the integration between oncology and palliative care. However, Bruera et al. [1] underline that only a minority of cancer centers have in- and outpatient palliative care units.
This issue has been debated for many years, but only recently was the early initiation of supportive care demonstrated to be beneficial to the overall outcome of therapy [2, 3]. Soon, the same will probably be demonstrated even in patients receiving potentially curative therapy. Hence, it is universally accepted that cancer- or treatment-related symptoms must be treated in all phases of cancer.
However, in the U.S. as in Europe, the number of palliative care centers is insufficient. Palliative medicine isn't a recognized medical specialty in Europe. Medical oncology was included among the medical specialties recognized by the European Community only in March 2011! In Italy, although several medical oncology divisions have been merged with internal medicine wards for cost containment, the establishment of new palliative care units is not foreseeable in the near future.
Considering that more than two thirds of the patients admitted in our departments suffer from three or more symptoms [4], most of our patients would be left without supportive care while waiting for a palliative medicine specialist. In 2002, we decided to include a supportive care unit into our clinical activity to allow systematic evaluation and treatment of symptoms and to guarantee the continuity of care in all phases of disease. Employing validated instruments and rigorous and shared protocols we obtained excellent results [4].
In 2003, the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) initiated an accreditation program for medical oncology centers that reached a high standard of integration between medical oncology and palliative care. In 2009, the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) identified ESMO's integration model as the best for the needs of cancer patients [5].
Dum Romae consulitur, Saguntum expugnatur (while in Rome they discuss, Saguntum is taken) reports Titus Livius. While we discuss the opportunity to have more palliative care units in our hospitals, patients suffer as a result of unmet needs and uncontrolled symptoms, perhaps even with a negative influence on survival. ESMO's and AIOM's proposed integration model may represent a valid alternative, while waiting for what will probably never come.
Author Contributions
Conception/Design: Paolo Marchetti, Zorika Christiana di Rocco
Provision of study material or patients: Paolo Marchetti, Zorika Christiana di Rocco
Collection and/or assembly of data: Paolo Marchetti, Zorika Christiana di Rocco
Data analysis and interpretation: Paolo Marchetti, Zorika Christiana di Rocco
Manuscript writing: Paolo Marchetti, Zorika Christiana di Rocco
Final approval of manuscript: Paolo Marchetti, Zorika Christiana di Rocco
References
- 1.Bruera E, Yennurajalingam S. Palliative care in advanced cancer patients: How and when? The Oncologist. 2012;17:267–273. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2011-0219. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Bruera E, Hui D. Integrating supportive and palliative care in the trajectory of cancer: Establishing goals and models of care. J Clin Oncol. 2010;28:4013–4017. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2010.29.5618. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.Temel JS, Greer JA, Admane S, et al. Longitudinal perceptions of prognosis and goals of therapy in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer: Results of a randomized study of early palliative care. J Clin Oncol. 2011;29:2319–2326. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2010.32.4459. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 4.Porzio G, Ricevuto E, Aielli F, et al. The Supportive Care Task Force at the University of L'Aquila: 2-years experience. Support Care Cancer. 2005;13:351–355. doi: 10.1007/s00520-004-0772-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 5.Zagonel V, Cavanna L, Cetto G, et al. The medical oncologist's role in palliative care: AIOM's position. Tumori. 2009;95:652–654. doi: 10.1177/030089160909500602. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]