Search Glossary

Name

Palliative care

This definition applies to

All SEER websites where this term appears

Definition

Care given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease. The goal of palliative care is to prevent or treat as early as possible the symptoms of the disease, side effects caused by treatment of the disease, and psychological, social and spiritual problems related to the disease or its treatment.

Resource

Title: National Cancer Institute
NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms

Alternate Names

Comfort care
Supportive care
Symptom management

Abstractor Notes

None

Histology

None

Primary Sites

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Glossary