Close relationships have often developed between oncology and palliative care services, as many patients with cancer benefit from palliative care at some point in their disease trajectory. The demonstrated benefits of referral, along with the ability to refer for ongoing care and support has meant that oncology services refer patients to palliative care more often than other specialties.
This is also perhaps because of the more predictable end of life phase seen in cancer than in other life-limiting illnesses (such as chronic lung or renal disease). In cancer there is often a clearer idea of disease progression and the role of palliative care.
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This page was created on 27 August 2010
Last updated 27 August 2010*