Original Article Symptoms, treatment and dying peacefully in terminally ill cancer patients: a prospective study Jean-Jacques Georges1 , Bregje D. Onwuteaka-Philipsen1, Agnes van der Heide2, Gerrit van der Wal1 and Paul J. van der Maas2 (1) Department of Public and Occupational Health. Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, VU University Medical Centre, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2) Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands Abstract Goals The aims of this study were to describe the symptoms, their treatment during the final months of life of terminally ill cancer patients and to assess characteristics of the dying process. Patients and methods We used a prospective study design. From a representative sample of physicians who participated in a study of end-of-life decision making, we asked whether they were treating a patient with cancer whose treatment was no longer aimed at cure, whose life expectancy was probably longer than 1 week but no longer than 3 months and who would probably continue to be treated by the same physician until their death; 85 physicians completed a monthly questionnaire until patients deaths. Results Patients were confronted with an increasing amount of symptoms during the final months of their life. Fatigue, loss of appetite, dependency and feeling unwell were the most prevalent symptoms. Physical symptoms were more often treated than psychosocial symptoms. The number of medical disciplines involved in the patients care decreased in the period before death, but the number of informal caregivers increased; 73% of patients died peacefully. A peaceful death was impeded by feelings of anxiety and loneliness but promoted by the involvement of children in their patients care. Conclusion The results give insight into the nature of suffering and factors related to the dying process of terminally ill cancer patients. Attention to psychosocial well-being and to the need to be with loved ones appears to be essential for patients quality of life. Supportive Care in Cancer ISSN: 0941-4355 (Paper) 1433-7339 (Online) DOI: 10.1007/s00520-004-0688-0 Online First, 12/04 MEDSCAPE article, 9/06 References for Caring During Last Hours of Life Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.