Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
An Orthotopic Bladder Cancer Model for Gene Delivery Studies
Published on: December 1, 2013
Early Palliative Care in Advanced or Metastatic Bladder Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Xiaohong Xie1, Yu Sang2, Dan Shou1
1Department of Oncology, The First People's Hospital of Jingzhou (First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University), 434000 Jingzhou, Hubei, China.
Aims:
The quality of life for patients with advanced cancer declines, tending to deteriorate further as they approach the end of their lives. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of incorporating early palliative care into routine care for patients with advanced or metastatic bladder cancer.
Methods:
A total of 97 patients with advanced or metastatic bladder cancer from January 2022 to May 2024 were included. Amongst them, 46 received routine treatment and early palliative care (observation group) and 51 received routine treatment only (control group). Assessments using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Family Satisfaction with Advanced Cancer Care-2 (FAMCARE-2) were conducted before and at 3 and 6 months after initiating early palliative care. Generalized estimating equation analysis was used for statistical analysis.
Results:
The indicators in the observation group showed improvement within 6 months after initiating early palliative care. Notably, the quality of life in the observation group significantly improved over this period (p = 0.013), whereas changes in pain scores were not statistically significant in either group (p > 0.05). The level of fatigue in the observation group decreased to its lowest point at 6 months (p = 0.001), whereas changes in fatigue levels in the control group were not significant (p > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group experienced a significant reduction in depression and anxiety levels within 6 months (p < 0.001). The nursing satisfaction in the observation group increased over time, with statistical significance (p = 0.006). Notably, significant interaction effects were observed between time and group, particularly in fatigue and psychological distress.
Conclusions:
Early palliative care improves quality of life and reduces fatigue and psychological distress in patients within 6 months, without notable changes in pain scores. Integration of early palliative care into routine management is recommended to enhance patient well-being and satisfaction.
