Symptom management in esophageal cancer

Most patients with esophageal cancer present late with regional or distant metastases and have a poor prognosis. They have many debilitating physical and psychosocial problems. Proper symptom management improves quality of life. The continuity of health care in advanced disease can be best provided by hospice home care programs. Appropriate comfort measures will alleviate terminal restlessness in a dying patient and permit them to die with dignity.