A review on determinants and barriers affecting the transition from curative care to palliative care in patients suffering from terminal cancer

The integration of palliative care into comprehensive cancer care has become increasingly recognized as an essential aspect of cancer treatment. Palliative care can improve patient outcomes, symptom management, and overall satisfaction with care. However, despite the benefits of palliative care, several barriers exist that prevent its widespread implementation, including lack of awareness and understanding of palliative care, lack of access to palliative care services, and stigma associated with palliative care. The decision to transition from curative to palliative care is complex and influenced by several factors, including patient preferences, disease stage, and prognosis, symptom burden, comorbidities, and social support. Effective communication between healthcare providers, patients, and families is essential in ensuring that patients are informed about their options and can make informed decisions about their care. This literature review aims to explore the factors that influence the decision to transition to palliative care and to identify the barriers to the implementation of palliative care in cancer patients. The review also discusses strategies to overcome these barriers and highlights the importance of integrating palliative care into cancer care from the time of cancer diagnosis.

A case report of primary pleomorphic lung cancer with an atypical presentation

Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma (PPC) is an uncommon primary lung tumor with a low incidence and aggressive biological characteristics that can occur in young people and nonsmokers. Pleomorphic carcinoma (PC) has a worse prognosis than other non-small cell lung tumors. We describe a 45-year-old man who complained of having a dry cough for a month. A well-defined mass in the anterior section of the left lower lobe was identified by chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and a positron emission tomography (PET) scan confirmed a left lobulated tumor with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the left mediastinal lymph nodes. An endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS TBNA) guided biopsy of the tumor was performed and sent for histopathological analysis, which identified pleomorphic squamous cells and giant cells. Positive IHC markers included P63, TTF1, pancytokeratin, Vimentin. Patient was diagnosed with stage IIIa (T3N2M0) pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung. Due to the tumor's advanced stage, the patient received chemotherapy and radiation therapy