Specific Characteristics of Patients with Advanced Genitourinary Cancer Receiving Specialized Inpatient Palliative Care.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics for genitourinary cancer (GUC) patients receiving specialized inpatient palliative care (SIPC) with those of a general cohort.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 151 GUC patients receiving SIPC from 2008 to 2014 regarding symptoms, problems, treatment, and outcome. These characteristics were compared with a general cohort of 1,285 patients with various diseases who received SIPC (German Hospice and Palliative care investigation: HOPE).

RESULTS

Patients suffering from advanced prostate cancer (n = 59), renal cell cancer (n = 37), urothelial cancer (n = 36), urothelial accompanied by prostate cancer (n = 11), germ cell cancer (n = 7), and penile squamous cell cancer (n = 1) were included in the study. Most frequent symptoms and problems at admission were weakness (93%), the need for assistance with activities of daily living (85%), loss of appetite (81%), and organization of care (80%). Symptoms were more frequent in the GUC than in the general cohort during treatment, in particular with regards to pain (p < 0.001), tension (p < 0.001), nausea (p = 0.001), and vomiting (p < 0.001). GUC patients received significantly more opioids with 89% compared to the general cohort with 72% (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Symptom burden of GUC patients, in particular pain, tension, and nausea was higher compared to the general cohort, and analgesic treatment played an important role in achieving control of symptoms.