Palliative Care and Symptom Management in Advanced EC
For patients with Stage IV or recurrent endometrial cancer that is no longer responsive to curative treatments, the focus shifts to Palliative Care. The goal here is to maintain the highest possible quality of life by managing the symptoms of advanced pelvic malignancy.
Common issues include:
Pelvic Hemorrhage: Severe bleeding can often be controlled through "palliative radiation"—short, high-dose bursts of radiation designed to shrink the tumor and stop the bleeding.
Bowel Obstruction: Advanced tumors can press against the intestines. Management may include dietary changes, stenting, or, in some cases, a diverting colostomy.
Pain Management: This often requires a multimodal approach involving nerve blocks, opioids, and anti-inflammatory medications to address both visceral and neuropathic pain.
Palliative care is not synonymous with "end-of-life" care; rather, it is an extra layer of support that can be provided alongside active cancer treatments to ensure that the patient’s physical and emotional needs are met throughout their journey.