Chemotherapy at the End of Life – The Reality of an Oncological Centre

Raquel Fontes; Jorge Rodrigues; Camila Oliveira; Mauricio Peixoto; Sonia Doria; Rafael Silva; Sofia Martins; Julia Amorim; Rui Nabiço; Ana Marques

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12

Chemotherapy at the End of Life – The Reality of an Oncological Centre

Raquel Fontes, Jorge Rodrigues, Camila Oliveira, Mauricio Peixoto, Sonia Doria, Rafael Silva, Sofia Martins, Julia Amorim, Rui Nabiço, Ana Marques

Published in Journal of Cancer Treatment and Research (Volume 10, Issue 2)

Received: 15 April 2022 Accepted: 4 May 2022 Published: 24 May 2022

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Abstract

Background: In advanced and incurable cancer disease, chemotherapy may be recommended if it improves the quality of life, even if it does not increase survival. However, in an end-of-life setting, the use of chemotherapy is controversial, with less clear indications and more individualized decisions. This study aimed to evaluate patients who received chemotherapy within the last three months of life, an indicator of the quality of care provided. Methods: We analyzed data from patients receiving chemotherapy in the last 3 months of life and who died from January 2018 to December 2020, in our Oncology Department. Results: It was found that 391 patients received chemotherapy in the last 3 months of life. Most had metastatic disease at diagnosis (71%, n=276) and were treated in a first-line setting. A more detailed analysis revealed that 50% (n=193) underwent treatment in the last month and 22% (n=42) in the last week of life. Most patients died due to disease progression, with 79% of deaths occurring in the hospital. Conclusions: This work puts into figures the reality of an Oncology Centre, revealing the investment made in fighting the disease and providing greater longevity to patients, with quality of life.

Published in	Journal of Cancer Treatment and Research (Volume 10, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12
Page(s)	18-23
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Chemotherapy, End of Life, Last Month of Life, Palliative Care

References

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APA Style

Raquel Fontes, Jorge Rodrigues, Camila Oliveira, Mauricio Peixoto, Sonia Doria, et al. (2022). Chemotherapy at the End of Life – The Reality of an Oncological Centre. Journal of Cancer Treatment and Research, 10(2), 18-23. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12

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ACS Style

Raquel Fontes; Jorge Rodrigues; Camila Oliveira; Mauricio Peixoto; Sonia Doria, et al. Chemotherapy at the End of Life – The Reality of an Oncological Centre. J. Cancer Treat. Res. 2022, 10(2), 18-23. doi: 10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12

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AMA Style

Raquel Fontes, Jorge Rodrigues, Camila Oliveira, Mauricio Peixoto, Sonia Doria, et al. Chemotherapy at the End of Life – The Reality of an Oncological Centre. J Cancer Treat Res. 2022;10(2):18-23. doi: 10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12

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@article{10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12,
  author = {Raquel Fontes and Jorge Rodrigues and Camila Oliveira and Mauricio Peixoto and Sonia Doria and Rafael Silva and Sofia Martins and Julia Amorim and Rui Nabiço and Ana Marques},
  title = {Chemotherapy at the End of Life – The Reality of an Oncological Centre},
  journal = {Journal of Cancer Treatment and Research},
  volume = {10},
  number = {2},
  pages = {18-23},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jctr.20221002.12},
  abstract = {Background: In advanced and incurable cancer disease, chemotherapy may be recommended if it improves the quality of life, even if it does not increase survival. However, in an end-of-life setting, the use of chemotherapy is controversial, with less clear indications and more individualized decisions. This study aimed to evaluate patients who received chemotherapy within the last three months of life, an indicator of the quality of care provided. Methods: We analyzed data from patients receiving chemotherapy in the last 3 months of life and who died from January 2018 to December 2020, in our Oncology Department. Results: It was found that 391 patients received chemotherapy in the last 3 months of life. Most had metastatic disease at diagnosis (71%, n=276) and were treated in a first-line setting. A more detailed analysis revealed that 50% (n=193) underwent treatment in the last month and 22% (n=42) in the last week of life. Most patients died due to disease progression, with 79% of deaths occurring in the hospital. Conclusions: This work puts into figures the reality of an Oncology Centre, revealing the investment made in fighting the disease and providing greater longevity to patients, with quality of life.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Chemotherapy at the End of Life – The Reality of an Oncological Centre
AU  - Raquel Fontes
AU  - Jorge Rodrigues
AU  - Camila Oliveira
AU  - Mauricio Peixoto
AU  - Sonia Doria
AU  - Rafael Silva
AU  - Sofia Martins
AU  - Julia Amorim
AU  - Rui Nabiço
AU  - Ana Marques
Y1  - 2022/05/24
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12
T2  - Journal of Cancer Treatment and Research
JF  - Journal of Cancer Treatment and Research
JO  - Journal of Cancer Treatment and Research
SP  - 18
EP  - 23
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-7790
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12
AB  - Background: In advanced and incurable cancer disease, chemotherapy may be recommended if it improves the quality of life, even if it does not increase survival. However, in an end-of-life setting, the use of chemotherapy is controversial, with less clear indications and more individualized decisions. This study aimed to evaluate patients who received chemotherapy within the last three months of life, an indicator of the quality of care provided. Methods: We analyzed data from patients receiving chemotherapy in the last 3 months of life and who died from January 2018 to December 2020, in our Oncology Department. Results: It was found that 391 patients received chemotherapy in the last 3 months of life. Most had metastatic disease at diagnosis (71%, n=276) and were treated in a first-line setting. A more detailed analysis revealed that 50% (n=193) underwent treatment in the last month and 22% (n=42) in the last week of life. Most patients died due to disease progression, with 79% of deaths occurring in the hospital. Conclusions: This work puts into figures the reality of an Oncology Centre, revealing the investment made in fighting the disease and providing greater longevity to patients, with quality of life.
VL  - 10
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Raquel Fontes

Oncology Department, Hospital of Braga, Braga, Portugal
Jorge Rodrigues

Oncology Department, Hospital of Braga, Braga, Portugal
Camila Oliveira

Oncology Department, Hospital of Braga, Braga, Portugal
Mauricio Peixoto

Oncology Department, Hospital of Braga, Braga, Portugal
Sonia Doria

National Oncology Registry Department, Hospital of Braga, Braga, Portugal
Rafael Silva

National Oncology Registry Department, Hospital of Braga, Braga, Portugal
Sofia Martins

National Oncology Registry Department, Hospital of Braga, Braga, Portugal
Julia Amorim

Oncology Department, Hospital of Braga, Braga, Portugal
Rui Nabiço
Ana Marques

Oncology Department, Hospital of Braga, Braga, Portugal

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APA Style

Raquel Fontes, Jorge Rodrigues, Camila Oliveira, Mauricio Peixoto, Sonia Doria, et al. (2022). Chemotherapy at the End of Life – The Reality of an Oncological Centre. Journal of Cancer Treatment and Research, 10(2), 18-23. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12

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ACS Style

Raquel Fontes; Jorge Rodrigues; Camila Oliveira; Mauricio Peixoto; Sonia Doria, et al. Chemotherapy at the End of Life – The Reality of an Oncological Centre. J. Cancer Treat. Res. 2022, 10(2), 18-23. doi: 10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12

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AMA Style

Raquel Fontes, Jorge Rodrigues, Camila Oliveira, Mauricio Peixoto, Sonia Doria, et al. Chemotherapy at the End of Life – The Reality of an Oncological Centre. J Cancer Treat Res. 2022;10(2):18-23. doi: 10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12

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@article{10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12,
  author = {Raquel Fontes and Jorge Rodrigues and Camila Oliveira and Mauricio Peixoto and Sonia Doria and Rafael Silva and Sofia Martins and Julia Amorim and Rui Nabiço and Ana Marques},
  title = {Chemotherapy at the End of Life – The Reality of an Oncological Centre},
  journal = {Journal of Cancer Treatment and Research},
  volume = {10},
  number = {2},
  pages = {18-23},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jctr.20221002.12},
  abstract = {Background: In advanced and incurable cancer disease, chemotherapy may be recommended if it improves the quality of life, even if it does not increase survival. However, in an end-of-life setting, the use of chemotherapy is controversial, with less clear indications and more individualized decisions. This study aimed to evaluate patients who received chemotherapy within the last three months of life, an indicator of the quality of care provided. Methods: We analyzed data from patients receiving chemotherapy in the last 3 months of life and who died from January 2018 to December 2020, in our Oncology Department. Results: It was found that 391 patients received chemotherapy in the last 3 months of life. Most had metastatic disease at diagnosis (71%, n=276) and were treated in a first-line setting. A more detailed analysis revealed that 50% (n=193) underwent treatment in the last month and 22% (n=42) in the last week of life. Most patients died due to disease progression, with 79% of deaths occurring in the hospital. Conclusions: This work puts into figures the reality of an Oncology Centre, revealing the investment made in fighting the disease and providing greater longevity to patients, with quality of life.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Chemotherapy at the End of Life – The Reality of an Oncological Centre
AU  - Raquel Fontes
AU  - Jorge Rodrigues
AU  - Camila Oliveira
AU  - Mauricio Peixoto
AU  - Sonia Doria
AU  - Rafael Silva
AU  - Sofia Martins
AU  - Julia Amorim
AU  - Rui Nabiço
AU  - Ana Marques
Y1  - 2022/05/24
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12
T2  - Journal of Cancer Treatment and Research
JF  - Journal of Cancer Treatment and Research
JO  - Journal of Cancer Treatment and Research
SP  - 18
EP  - 23
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-7790
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jctr.20221002.12
AB  - Background: In advanced and incurable cancer disease, chemotherapy may be recommended if it improves the quality of life, even if it does not increase survival. However, in an end-of-life setting, the use of chemotherapy is controversial, with less clear indications and more individualized decisions. This study aimed to evaluate patients who received chemotherapy within the last three months of life, an indicator of the quality of care provided. Methods: We analyzed data from patients receiving chemotherapy in the last 3 months of life and who died from January 2018 to December 2020, in our Oncology Department. Results: It was found that 391 patients received chemotherapy in the last 3 months of life. Most had metastatic disease at diagnosis (71%, n=276) and were treated in a first-line setting. A more detailed analysis revealed that 50% (n=193) underwent treatment in the last month and 22% (n=42) in the last week of life. Most patients died due to disease progression, with 79% of deaths occurring in the hospital. Conclusions: This work puts into figures the reality of an Oncology Centre, revealing the investment made in fighting the disease and providing greater longevity to patients, with quality of life.
VL  - 10
IS  - 2
ER  -

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