Systemic Amyloidosis: A Clinical Challenge from the Palliative Care Perspective

Amyloidosis is a rare disease characterized by the extracellular deposition of misfolded amyloid proteins in various organs and tissues, leading to progressive organ dysfunction. Due to the complexity of its management, the high symptom burden it generates, and the difficulty in determining prognosis, palliative care plays a fundamental role in comprehensive management and in improving patients' quality of life. This article presents a narrative review aimed at examining the available evidence on palliative interventions in patients with amyloidosis for symptom control, psychosocial support, and shared decision-making. The findings suggest that a patient-centered interdisciplinary approach enables more effective management of pain, dyspnea, fatigue, and other associated symptoms, in addition to enhancing emotional well-being and facilitating advance care planning. The importance of early assessment of palliative care needs and the integration of specialized teams from the initial stages of diagnosis is emphasized, in order to optimize symptom management and provide comprehensive support to patients and their families. Despite progress, gaps remain in the literature regarding specific palliative care interventions and their long-term impact, highlighting the need for further research in this field.