Palliative care is specialized, supportive care that focuses on relieving symptoms, improving quality of life and helping patients and their families manage the physical, emotional, social and practical effects of cancer.
Palliative care is not limited to end-of-life care. It can begin at diagnosis and be provided alongside chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy or other cancer-directed treatments. It can also support patients when controlling symptoms and maintaining comfort become the principal goals of care.
At Apollo Cancer Centres, palliative care is delivered through a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. Each care plan reflects the patient’s symptoms, priorities, values, treatment goals and overall health, with an emphasis on comfort, dignity and informed decision-making.
Why Palliative Care Is Required
At Diagnosis: Can help address symptoms, emotional concerns and practical needs from the beginning of the cancer journey.
During Cancer Treatment: Supports patients receiving chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy by managing symptoms and treatment-related effects.
High Symptom Burden: Helps manage persistent or complex symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, fatigue, nausea or loss of appetite.
Advanced or Metastatic Cancer: Prioritizes comfort, function and quality of life while cancer-directed treatment continues or when cure is not possible.
After Treatment: Can help manage lingering symptoms, functional limitations or emotional concerns during recovery and survivorship.
When Care Goals Change: Supports patients and families when treatment priorities shift towards comfort-focused care.
End-of-life Care: Provides symptom relief, emotional support and coordinated care when a patient approaches the final stage of life.
Key Advantages
Side Effects of Palliative Treatments
- Constipation, nausea, drowsiness or confusion with opioid pain medicines
- Mood changes, sleep disturbance, increased blood sugar or infection risk with corticosteroids
- Drowsiness or impaired coordination with certain anti-anxiety or sedative medicines
- Dry mouth, constipation or urinary difficulties with some symptom-control medicines
- Treatment-specific effects following palliative radiation therapy, nerve blocks or other procedures
Continuum of Care
At Apollo Cancer Centres, palliative care is provided by multidisciplinary teams that may include palliative medicine specialists, oncologists, pain specialists, nurses, psychologists, dietitians, rehabilitation professionals and other clinicians.
The team begins by understanding the patient’s symptoms, daily challenges, values and treatment priorities. An individualized care plan is then developed and coordinated with ongoing cancer treatment. Regular reviews allow medicines and supportive interventions to be adjusted as needs change. Patients and families also receive clear guidance, emotional support and help with treatment decisions throughout the course of care.
