Updates in palliative care of gynecologic oncology patients.

Early integration of palliative care for patients with gynecologic cancers is beneficial, but disparities and barriers persist, leading to late hospice referrals and aggressive end-of-life care. Multidisciplinary efforts are increasing to promote earlier goals-of-care discussions. Beyond symptom burdens, financial toxicity causes harmful cost-mitigation choices. Psychedelic-assisted therapy shows promise for depression in advanced cancer patients. Continued research is needed to address symptomatic and psychosocial suffering globally.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This review assesses the impact of early integration of palliative care and the disparities that exist among patients with gynecologic malignancies. It also highlights the recent advances in symptom management, goals of care communication, and end of life care. Although palliative care has been utilized earlier, there are still barriers to its integration both nationally and worldwide, manifesting as predominantly late hospice referrals and aggressive care at the end of life. However, there are increasing efforts to promote earlier integration and discussion around goals of care through multidisciplinary approaches. Apart from symptom burdens, patients with gynecologic malignancies experience financial toxicity that impact various aspects of their lives, leading to potentially harmful choices to mitigate costs. A growing area of interest in palliative care is the realm of psychedelic-assisted therapy, which has shown benefits in treating advanced cancer patients with depression. While significant strides have been made in incorporating palliative care earlier, continued research in palliative care is needed to address symptomatic and psychosocial suffering worldwide.