Stage IV Lung Cancer: Which is More Better, Palliative Care or Hospice Care?

Stage iv lung cancer is already incurable. The tumor has already metastasized to different parts of the body and the most common areas being attacked are the bones, the liver and brain. A patient who suffers from lung disease can already experience the symptoms at a later stage when it could have been possibly cured at an early time. Treatments for the final stage of lung cancer is still important as it can help the patient that can help in relieving the symptoms and might let them live longer, but are not likely to cure them. If the patient's body is no longer responding with the treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, there are still other options for the last few months or years of their existence will be peaceful. Palliative CarernPalliative care provides help in controlling symptoms, physical and emotional care, and supports stage iv lung cancer patients and their families. This is usually being chosen by patients where treatments has already failed. This kind of support includes the team of doctors, nurses and sometimes with social workers. Common emotional responses like anxiety, depression and anger is just normal when someone is diagnosed. Palliative care is more concerned with the emotional responses of the patient and their family. There has been a study also that patients who received standard treatments and palliative care lived longer than those who only received the standard treatments. This shows that it concentrates mostly on end of life care. A patient can be dispensed at home but it is common for patients to be in a hospital or nursing home while receiving such kind of support. Hospice CarernHospice care is comparable with palliative care. This kind of support is being offered when the stage iv lung cancer patient cannot live longer than six months. Unlike, palliative care, where it can provide support to patients without any time limit but commonly it starts during the diagnosis. Hospice care can take place at home but sometimes it still depends upon the patient on where they would like to spend the remaining days of their life. They concentrate more on comfort for the patient rather than aggressive treatments. Hospice care is also comprised with doctors, nurses, caregivers and social workers. The same thing with palliative care it also supports the patient and their family emotionally and sometimes spiritually. Whatever support will the patient choose or their family decides for them, both is still not going to cure them. However, the best thing it can do to them is to switch into a healthy lifestyle and can spend the remaining days or months of their life peacefully with their family as they have strongly faced stage iv lung cancer.