RESUMO
Critically ill cancer patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) have high mortality rates compared to noncancer patients. Yet, with suitable patient selection, improved ICU- and 6-month survival has been observed in these patients: admission of cancer patients to the ICU can no more be considered futile. As a general rule, patients with good performance status, who are at the initial phase of their malignant disease and with life-extending treatment options available, should be routinely admitted to the ICU, while patients being only in palliative care should not. When in doubt, an ICU trial with re-appraisal at 3-6 days may be the best policy, as the data available when ICU admission is considered, are not sufficient to identify patients who are likely to benefit from ICU management.
