Palliative Radiotherapy in Home Care

ABSTRACT

Palliative radiotherapy, when properly administered, contributes to improving the quality of life of patients. Although the usefulness of radiotherapy has been increasingly recognized, the need for palliative radiotherapy from home healthcare institutions has not yet been met. Although there are patients undergoing home care who would benefit from radiotherapy to improve their quality of life, it is difficult to determine the indication in the home care setting, where diagnostic imaging tests are not readily available. In addition, patients undergoing treatment at home often have a lowered performance status, making frequent visits to the hospital difficult and limiting their means of transportation. Under these circumstances, we have been providing palliative radiotherapy in cooperation with home care clinics.