Relief of emotional symptoms in elderly patients with terminal cancer

Effective palliative care is one of the most valuable skills a physician may acquire. It involves not only control of physical symptoms, but relief of emotional symptoms. Relief of emotional symptoms requires truth telling in a context of supportive, skillful communication. Important communication skills include empathy, legitimation, support, partnership, and respect. Using these skills and the development of a limited treatment plan, along with pharmacological intervention, when necessary, to treat anxiety, depression, and confusion, may provide a significant measure of relief for the suffering that often accompanies terminal cancer.