QUALITY OF LIFE OF ELDERLY ONCOLOGY PATIENTS UNDER PALLIATIVE CARE: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594432407052

• Palavras-chave: Palliative care; Quality of life; Oncology; Neoplasms; Elderly.

• Keywords: Palliative care; Quality of life; Oncology; Neoplasms; Elderly.

• Abstract:

  Cancer is responsible for 12% of global mortality, and will double in approximately two decades, as well as morbidity and mortality, reaching an increase of 60% in underdeveloped countries. A large proportion of cancer patients in palliative care have advanced disease with a low cure rate. Furthermore, there is a gradual increase in palliative care, so that the terminally ill patient has all the comfort for a better quality of life in the terminal phase. The objective of this study is to evaluate, through a literature review, the quality of life of cancer patients receiving palliative care. Methodology: A literature review was carried out through searches in the LILACS and MEDLINE/PubMed databases, between February and May 2023. 15 full articles were analyzed. Result/Discussion: The analysis of the studies that made up this review highlighted predictors that could positively or negatively affect the health-related quality of life for elderly individuals with advanced cancer without the possibility of effective treatment, that is, those who are in palliative care. Regarding changes in quality of life, overall health tends to decrease throughout the chemotherapy and radiotherapy process, however it tends to be overcome after the end of treatment. Furthermore, a certain increase in symptoms was noted in several studies, and such an increase was detrimental to the patients' health-related living conditions. Conclusion: The quality of life related to elderly individuals suffering from cancer is negatively affected by chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, with this quality being improved in some cases through Palliative Care, making such therapeutic conduct crucial in the segment and deserves attention. more investments through public bodies, as well as greater studies by the scientific community.