3. How should we treat palliative cancer patients who have uncontrolled edema?
Presented by: Anna Towers, MD
This session will include a review of malignant lymphedema as well as edema from other causes in palliative cancer patients with a limited prognosis. Flexible compression solutions are the mainstay of conservative treatment. Medical solutions such as inferior vena cava stents, ascites drainage as well as subcutaneous needle drainage of edema will be discussed in the form of a recent case study.
Following this presentation, participants will be able to:
1. List the causes of edema in advanced cancer patients.
2. Know the difference between malignant and benign lymphedema in palliative patients.
3. Understand how flexible bandaging or Velcro-type compression devices are useful in these cases.
4. Understand the role of concurrent medical solutions for uncontrolled edema at end of life.
