[Palliative Care in patients with gastrointestinal cancer].

Abstract

Comprehensive Cancer Care stands for a concept of broad care providing substantial benefits to cancer patients. Beside prevention of cancer as first pillar and curative therapy as second pillar, comprehensive care also encompasses palliative care representing a third pillar providing service for incurable cancer patients burdened with physical symptoms and psychological, social and spiritual needs. This article describes the integration of palliative medicine into comprehensive cancer care for patients with gastrointestinal cancer.