Palliative Care Clinical Practice Guidelines in OncologyNCCN Categories of Evidence and ConsensusCategory 1: The recommendation is based on high-level evidence (e.g., randomized controlled trials) and there is uniform NCCN consensus.Category 2A: The recommendation is based on lower-level evidence and there is uniform NCCN consensus.Category 2B: The recommendation is based on lower-level evidence and there is nonuniform NCCN consensus (but no major disagreement).Category 3: The recommendation is based on any level of evidence but reflects major disagreement.All recommendations are category 2A unless otherwise noted.Clinical trials: The NCCN believes that the best management for any cancer patient is in a clinical trial. Participation in clinical trials is especially encouraged.OverviewPalliative care is both a philosophy of care and an organized, highly structured system for delivering care to persons with life-threatening or debilitating illness. Palliative care is patient- and family-centered care that focuses on effective management of pain and other distressing symptoms, while incorporating psychosocial and spiritual care according to patient/family needs, values, beliefs, and cultures. The goal of palliative care is to prevent and relieve suffering and to support the best possible quality of life for patients and their families, regardless of disease stage or the need for other therapies. Palliative care can be delivered concurrently with life-prolonging care or as the main focus of care.The standards of palliative care are as follows:• Institutions should develop a process ensuring that all patients have access to palliative care services from the initial visit....

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Copyright:
Copyright © 2009 by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2009
Page Numbers:
436–473
Article Category:
Research Article
Print Publication Date:
01 Apr 2009
Online Publication Date:
Apr 2009
Keywords:
NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines; palliative care; end-of-life issues; death and dying; hospice care; supportive care; advance directives; terminal care
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