Dealing With End Stage Lung Cancer A pathological prognosis of end stage lung cancer may leave only months for the patient and their loved ones to be together.
Knowing what to expect and how to support someone with this disease can be helpful.
Lung cancer exhibits specific signals as the patient progresses towards their final days.
Understanding what to expect allows patients and their family to prepare.
Primary Concerns When lung carcinoma has advanced despite treatment, palliative care is the main focus.
This may include targeted doses of brachytherapy to shrink tumors blocking airways.
It can also mean a course of external radiation to relieve symptoms of a brain tumor or associated bone pain.
Of primary concern for families and health care providers is the maintenance of airways as the lungs begin to fail.
Shortness of breath or dyspnea is a common symptom and can be alleviated with certain medications and supplemental oxygen.
Fluid build-up in the lungs is common in advanced stages and may lead to pneumonia and fever.
When the individual is no longer able to clear them, fluid secretions from ruptured cancerous growths in the airways will contribute to this condition.
A state of 'imminent death' is likely to follow.
Last Hours Signs that a person is approaching death include a complete loss of appetite and long periods of unconsciousness.
When patients are awake, they may experience delirium mixed with moments of clarity.
During this time, caregivers will continue to administer pain medication.
At this point, it is not uncommon for patients to fall into progressively deeper and longer unconscious states.
Breathing can become sporadic and irregular, and may stop at times.
Poor respiratory circulation will cause the skin to turn ashen or blue.
Full cardiac arrest and death will follow respiratory failure.
Considerations Patients and their families must weigh the decision to provide additional nutrition and medical procedures towards the end of life.
Depending on the cancer's progress, it may not provide any benefit, and end stage patients may not be able to tolerate any supplementation.
Caregivers can help clarify the potential benefits and risks associated with end care nutritional supplementation or additional procedures.
Ultimately, end of life care should focus on comforting the patient.
Knowing what to expect and how to support someone with this disease can be helpful.
Lung cancer exhibits specific signals as the patient progresses towards their final days.
Understanding what to expect allows patients and their family to prepare.
Primary Concerns When lung carcinoma has advanced despite treatment, palliative care is the main focus.
This may include targeted doses of brachytherapy to shrink tumors blocking airways.
It can also mean a course of external radiation to relieve symptoms of a brain tumor or associated bone pain.
Of primary concern for families and health care providers is the maintenance of airways as the lungs begin to fail.
Shortness of breath or dyspnea is a common symptom and can be alleviated with certain medications and supplemental oxygen.
Fluid build-up in the lungs is common in advanced stages and may lead to pneumonia and fever.
When the individual is no longer able to clear them, fluid secretions from ruptured cancerous growths in the airways will contribute to this condition.
A state of 'imminent death' is likely to follow.
Last Hours Signs that a person is approaching death include a complete loss of appetite and long periods of unconsciousness.
When patients are awake, they may experience delirium mixed with moments of clarity.
During this time, caregivers will continue to administer pain medication.
At this point, it is not uncommon for patients to fall into progressively deeper and longer unconscious states.
Breathing can become sporadic and irregular, and may stop at times.
Poor respiratory circulation will cause the skin to turn ashen or blue.
Full cardiac arrest and death will follow respiratory failure.
Considerations Patients and their families must weigh the decision to provide additional nutrition and medical procedures towards the end of life.
Depending on the cancer's progress, it may not provide any benefit, and end stage patients may not be able to tolerate any supplementation.
Caregivers can help clarify the potential benefits and risks associated with end care nutritional supplementation or additional procedures.
Ultimately, end of life care should focus on comforting the patient.
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