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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
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Palliative care interventions for thoracic cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis identifying the core
Anne M Walker1,2,3, Donald R Sullivan4,5,6, Anne E Holland7,8
1Respiratory Research @ Alfred, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia anne.walker@monash.edu.
Summary
Comprehensive palliative care interventions significantly improved quality of life, survival, and symptoms in thoracic cancer patients. Nonpharmacological interventions also eased breathlessness and depression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Palliative Care
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Palliative care interventions for thoracic cancer show promise but face implementation challenges.
- Understanding core intervention elements is crucial for global scalability and accessibility.
- This review synthesizes evidence on palliative care interventions in thoracic cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the core elements of palliative care interventions for thoracic cancer.
- To evaluate the efficacy of these interventions on patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Searched five medical databases (1987-2025) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized studies.
- Included studies addressing at least two National Consensus Project domains.
- Performed meta-analyses of RCTs using a random-effects model.
Main Results:
- Identified 34 palliative care interventions (n=6490) categorized as comprehensive (n=18), nonpharmacological symptom (n=12), and psychosocial-educational (n=4).
- Comprehensive interventions were longer, addressed more components, and were more likely delivered by specialist teams.
- Comprehensive interventions improved quality of life, survival, overall symptoms, and depression. Nonpharmacological interventions improved breathlessness and depression.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive palliative care interventions are effective in improving quality of life, survival, and symptom burden in thoracic cancer patients.
- Nonpharmacological symptom interventions show benefits for breathlessness and depression.
- Further research and implementation strategies are needed to optimize palliative care delivery in thoracic oncology.
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