ArticlePalliative medicine2026
Defining patients living long-term with incurable cancer: A modified hybrid Delphi study.
Article in Palliative medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundTherapeutic advances have significantly extended survival for certain groups of patients with incurable cancer, creating a growing population living long-term with incurable cancer. However, the absence of standardized definitions and terminology has contributed to limited recognition of this distinct group and their specific care needs.
aimTo achieve consensus on definitions and terminology for patients living long-term with incurable cancer by incorporating perspectives of patients, informal caregivers, healthcare professionals, and other relevant stakeholders.
designA modified hybrid Delphi study, comprising focus groups and a three-round Delphi consensus process. SETTING/
participantsThree focus groups were conducted with patients (
resultsWe achieved 88% consensus on the terminology: Patients living long-term with incurable cancer. Consensus was reached on the definition (94%) for patients living for two or more years with: (1) incurable metastatic cancer, (2) incurable hematological malignancies, (3) incurable locally advanced cancer, or (4) patients with exceptionally long survival for their cancer type, despite not meeting the 2-year criterion.
conclusionsThis modified hybrid Delphi study established the first consensus-based framework for patients living long-term with incurable cancer, providing essential groundwork for improved recognition and tailored care approaches for this population.
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