Issues in the 2019 revision of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for pancreatic cancer - Supportive/palliative care

Abstract

Various supportive/palliative care approaches are used in the care of patients with cancer, and guidelines for some supportive/palliative care modalities have been published by professional societies. However, we concluded from discussions that our guidelines should provide guidance on clinical questions (CQ) that are of particular importance for patients with pancreatic cancer, and methods for coping with psychological distress, treatment of upper abdominal/back pain, and nutritional therapy have been described in the 2016 and subsequent editions. The 2019 edition contains a new CQ on exercise therapy recommended after surgery, advanced care planning, and how to treat peripheral neuropathy using chemotherapy. In addition, columns in the guidelines provide information on nutrition support therapy for patients with cachexia, a question prompt sheet for patients with advanced cancer, communication skills, support for psychosocial and economic issues, and patient associations.