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Pharmacologic and Non-Pharmacologic Dyspnea Management in Advanced Cancer Patients.

MedStar author(s):

Citation: American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine. :10499091211040436, 2021 Sep 13PMID: 34510917Institution: MedStar Washington Hospital CenterDepartment: Medicine/Internal MedicineForm of publication: Journal ArticleMedline article type(s): Journal ArticleSubject headings: IN PROCESS -- NOT YET INDEXEDYear: 2021 ISSN:

1049-9091

Name of journal: The American journal of hospice & palliative careAbstract: As there is a high propensity for patients with advanced malignancy to experience refractory dyspnea, it is necessary for physicians to be well-versed in the management of these patients' dyspneic symptoms. For symptomatic treatment of cancer patients with dyspnea, both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic methods should be considered. The main source of pharmacologic symptom management for dyspnea is oral and parenteral opioids; benzodiazepines and corticosteroids may serve as helpful adjuncts alongside opioid treatments. However, oxygen administration and nebulized loop diuretics have not been shown to clinically benefit dyspneic cancer patients. Applying non-pharmacologic dyspnea management methods may be valuable palliative therapies for advanced cancer patients, as they provide benefit with negligible harm to the patient. Advantageous and minimally harmful non-pharmacologic dyspnea therapies include facial airflow, acupuncture and/or acupressure, breathing exercises, cognitive behavioral therapy, music therapy, and spiritual interventions. Thus, it is vital that physicians are prepared to provide symptomatic care for dyspnea in advanced cancer patients as to minimize suffering in this patient population during definitive cancer treatments or hospice care.All authors: Zemel RAFiscal year: FY2022Digital Object Identifier:

https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10499091211040436

ORCID:

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3942-7285

Date added to catalog: 2021-11-01

Holdings ( 1 )
Title notes ( 2 )

Holdings
Item type	Current library	Collection	Call number	Status	Date due	Barcode
Journal Article	MedStar Authors Catalog	Article	34510917	Available		34510917

As there is a high propensity for patients with advanced malignancy to experience refractory dyspnea, it is necessary for physicians to be well-versed in the management of these patients' dyspneic symptoms. For symptomatic treatment of cancer patients with dyspnea, both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic methods should be considered. The main source of pharmacologic symptom management for dyspnea is oral and parenteral opioids; benzodiazepines and corticosteroids may serve as helpful adjuncts alongside opioid treatments. However, oxygen administration and nebulized loop diuretics have not been shown to clinically benefit dyspneic cancer patients. Applying non-pharmacologic dyspnea management methods may be valuable palliative therapies for advanced cancer patients, as they provide benefit with negligible harm to the patient. Advantageous and minimally harmful non-pharmacologic dyspnea therapies include facial airflow, acupuncture and/or acupressure, breathing exercises, cognitive behavioral therapy, music therapy, and spiritual interventions. Thus, it is vital that physicians are prepared to provide symptomatic care for dyspnea in advanced cancer patients as to minimize suffering in this patient population during definitive cancer treatments or hospice care.

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