Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42317913›Full record

ReviewCureus2026

Palliative Care in Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: Multidisciplinary Management and End-of-Life Decision-Making.

Vanessa Duarte Branco, Catarina Dias, Inês Rento, Débora Cardoso, Ana Luísa Esteves

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Vanessa Duarte BrancoOncology, Unidade Local de Saúde de Lisboa Ocidental (ULS Lisboa Ocidental), Hospital de São Francisco Xavier, Lisboa, PRT.
Catarina DiasOncology, Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Ave (ULS Alto Ave), Hospital de Guimarães, Guimarães, PRT.
Inês RentoInternal Medicine, Unidade Local de Saúde de Viseu Dão-Lafões (ULS Viseu Dão-Lafões), Hospital de São Teotónio, Viseu, PRT.
Débora CardosoOncology, Unidade Local de Saúde de Lisboa Ocidental (ULS Lisboa Ocidental), Hospital de São Francisco Xavier, Lisboa, PRT.
Ana Luísa EstevesInternal Medicine, Hospital da Luz, Lisbon, PRT.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) represent a heterogeneous group of malignancies with high morbidity and complex functional impairment. Despite advances in multimodal therapy, many patients present with advanced or incurable disease, demanding early integration of palliative care. To review the epidemiology, symptom burden, and best practices in palliative care for patients with advanced HNC, highlighting strategies for symptom management, communication, and end-of-life decision-making. A narrative review of current literature, clinical guidelines (National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), UK National Multidisciplinary Guidelines), and key studies on palliative interventions in HNC was conducted. Emphasis was placed on early integration of palliative care, multidisciplinary management, and evidence-based approaches to symptom control. HNC patients experience high symptom burden, including pain, dysphagia, airway compromise, hemorrhage, and psychological distress. Early palliative care integration improves symptom control, quality of life, and alignment of treatment with patient goals. Multidisciplinary approaches involving surgeons, oncologists, palliative specialists, speech therapists, dietitians, and psychosocial support are essential. Sentinel clinical events should trigger structured discussions on prognosis, treatment objectives, and end-of-life preferences. Advance care planning, including documentation of "do not resuscitate" (DNR) orders and preferred location of death, is critical in the terminal phase. Effective palliative care in HNC requires early, proactive, and multidisciplinary strategies that balance disease-directed therapy with patient-centered goals. Standardization of care pathways and ongoing evaluation of emerging evidence are essential to optimize symptom management, facilitate informed decision-making, and enhance quality of life for patients with advanced diseases.

Indexed as

advance palliative care planningend-of-life carehead and neck cancermultidisciplinary palliative carepalliative caresymptom management

Identifiers

PMID42317913
PMCPMC13273613

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.