Symptom relief and palliative care in gynecologic oncology.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Patients with gynecologic malignancies experience varied and often difficult-to-manage symptoms through their disease course, along with decisions surrounding preferences for advance care planning. This review focuses on evidence-based symptom management for these patients and offers a framework for conversations regarding goals of therapy.

RECENT FINDINGS: There is increasing literature on palliative care specifically in gynecologic oncology, including barriers and possible solutions for early palliative care use, along with updated guidelines on postoperative pain management and tools for communication.

SUMMARY: Integration of early palliative care and focus on symptom management is an important and multidisciplinary approach to help patients with gynecologic malignancies.