Abstract
Terminal cancer patients gradually reduce their oral intake, which can lead to cachexia and metabolic abnormalities. According to Japanese Society of Palliative Medicine guidelines, patients should reduce their fluid intake from one month before projected death. The effectiveness of fluid therapy in these patients should be evaluated by assessing their quality of life (QOL), and not only on the basis of physical symptoms. However, no specific QOL indicators are set out in the guidelines. We have reviewed recent reports on fluid therapy in terminally ill cancer patient in an attempt to identify appropriate indicators of QOL in palliative medicine.
