Challenges in supportive care in cancer medicine

The scope of this thesis is relief of unnecessary suffering of sequelae of cancer and its chemotherapeutic treatment. In chapter 2 an overview is given of shortcomings and perspectives of some prevalent issues in supportive and palliative care in cancer chemotherapy; some of which have deleterious effects on quality of life. Emphasis has been put on cancer induced cachexia, elderly patients with cancer, carcinoid tumors, and integrity of epithelial cell surfaces after chemotherapy. In chapter 3 the effect of age on decisions affecting diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer are reviewed. Almost half of all ovarian cancers occur in women over 65 years old, and this age group often presents with more advanced disease. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to elderly women appear less intensive than in their younger counterparts. ... Zie: Summary