Care of palliative patients with cancer-related lymphoedema

Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Pamela Hodgson and Casi Shay are Lymphoedema Therapists, McGill University Health Centre, Division of Palliative Care, Montreal, Canada; Vaughan Keeley is Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Nightingale Macmillan Unit, Derby, UK The problem of lymphoedema in palliative care has been relatively neglected (Mortimer and Badger, 2005; Pyszora et al, 2007). A few qualitative studies highlight palliative patients’ experience of lymphoedema and the need for timely appropriate treatment, and greater knowledge among healthcare professionals (Frid et al, 2006; Renshaw, 2007). With expanding treatment options in recent years, an increasing population of patients are living longer with metastatic disease. Patients with lymphoedema in this context have particular needs that will affect their care. More lymphoedema clinics are developing under the auspices of palliative care or hospice programmes, leading to a natural point of exchange between palliative medicine specialists and lymphoedema therapists.