What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine symptom prevalence, mental awareness, physical functioning, and quality of life in end-stage cancer to identify whether patients follow a shared terminal pathway.

December 1, 1988The Hospice Journal

The End Stage Cancer Patient: Terminal Common Pathway

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To examine symptom prevalence, mental awareness, physical functioning, and quality of life in end-stage cancer to identify whether patients follow a shared terminal pathway.
Analyzed data on symptom prevalence, functional performance, and quality of life from patients enrolled in the National Hospice Study.
Evaluated changes in symptom burden across the final six weeks of life and compared rates across primary cancer types and anatomical sites.
Symptoms were highly prevalent: anorexia (90%), weight loss (84%), dyspnea (64%), pain (60%), constipation (52%), nausea or vomiting (44%), fever (35%), and diarrhea (27%), with virtually no asymptomatic patients.
Over the final six weeks of life, rates of fever, dyspnea, anorexia, and weight loss increased by 12% to 15%, whereas pain, nausea or vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea showed little change.
Only 12% of patients experienced complete mental incapacitation, and symptom prevalence showed minimal variation across different cancer types and anatomical sites, supporting a terminal common pathway.

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Implication

Cohort study reveals high symptom burdens and uniform clinical decline in terminal cancer, indicating a universal need for comprehensive palliative care.

Cite This Study

Wachtel et al. (1988) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa3940c3a85f217c5748d03 https://doi.org/10.1080/0742-969x.1988.11882634

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Implication

Cohort study reveals high symptom burdens and uniform clinical decline in terminal cancer, indicating a universal need for comprehensive palliative care.

The End Stage Cancer Patient: Terminal Common Pathway

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

The End Stage Cancer Patient: Terminal Common Pathway

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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