Keywords
Chemotherapy
Palliative care
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Abstract
Objective: To analyze the role of palliative chemotherapy in advanced cancer through a systematic review of recent literature. Methods: This is a integrative literature review based on the PRISMA guidelines. The search was conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Results: This review analyzed 11 studies, between 2021 and 2024, predominantly retrospective, on palliative chemotherapy in advanced cancer. The benefits focused on symptom control, but high therapeutic aggressiveness near death was evident, resulting in frequent hospital deaths and emergency room visits due to toxicities. Survival ranged from 30 days to 5 years. Decision-making sought to balance survival and tolerability, with patients preferring detailed information. At the end of life, there was a trend towards monotherapies and shared decisions to prioritize well-being and safety. Final considerations: Palliative chemotherapy demonstrates efficacy in symptomatic control and functional maintenance. However, the review is limited by the predominantly retrospective nature of the included studies, which highlight a gap in care and encourage the need for further research on the subject.
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