Medical Encyclopedia:
Cancer Therapy, Palliative: Precautions
|
More about Cancer Therapy, Palliative:
Definition Purpose Precautions Preparation Aftercare Risks Resources |
Surgery for the purpose of tumor removal, biopsy, or size reduction is associated with postoperative pain and local nerve damage, which may be both severe and difficult to alleviate. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also produce nerve damage and severe pain. Additionally, patients with malignant cancer are susceptible to infections like herpes, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and wound abscess, all of which can cause severe pain. Pain associated with cancer and/or treatments can significantly impair the patient's capabilities for performing daily tasks and hence impair quality of life. These complications may negatively impact the patient's psychological well being.
— Laith Farid Gulli, M.D.; Nicole Mallory, M.S.
