[Respiratory problems in cancer--causes and treatment]

Half of the patients with advanced cancer suffer from shortness of breath. This may be due to the cancer itself, result from its treatment or arise from concurrent conditions. Careful assessment should precede any intervention. Treatment should be directed toward altering the underlying pathological process as far as possible (e.g. tumour reduction or pleural puncture). The relieve of symptoms by reassuring presence and morphine application are the mainstay, when it is not possible to reverse the cause of dyspnea, and can also successfully complement specific therapy.