Two Patients with Advanced Cancer whose Psychiatric Symptoms were Improved by Palliative Care Team

Abstract

We report two cancer patients whose psychiatric symptoms were relieved by the intervention of a palliative care team (PCT) which is organized for palliative care in the general ward. Both cases showed psychiatric symptoms after they were given the information that they had already been in their terminal stage. The case I was a 55-year-old man who had been operated on for his the bladder cancer. He showed strong anxiety and excitement, and was diagnosed as adjustment disorder. The case 2 was a 62-year-old man who had been operated on for his gastric cancer. He could not understand that he was in his terminal stage, and continued to request a chemotherapy which would have no effect on his illness. It was thought that he used a denial as a psychological defense. Their psychiatric symptoms were improved by psychotherapy, the alleviation of pain and psychosocial support. Then they said that they desired to be with their family calmly for the rest of their life. The PCT can play an important role in assisting advanced cancer patients in the general ward in relieving their anxiety and improving their quality of life.