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Palliative Care
Palliative care is an integral part of cancer care. Its goal is to improve the quality of life for patients and their loved ones by relieving the symptoms and the physical, psychological, and social suffering associated with the disease. It can be provided at various stages of the care journey and, whenever possible, is combined with cancer treatments.
Director
Dr. Cristina Mateus
Contact
Secretariat
Tel.: +33 (0)1 42 11 40 06
Living as well as possible with the disease
The word “palliative” comes from the Latin *palliare*, which means “to cover with a cloak” or “to alleviate.” Palliative care is designed to provide relief and support when an illness causes physical, psychological, or social difficulties.
Contrary to some common misconceptions, palliative care is not limited to end-of-life care. It can begin early on, as soon as a need for support, symptom management, or decision-making assistance arises. Its goal is to help patients live as well as possible with their illness and to support their loved ones throughout the journey.
Key Takeaways
Palliative care is like having a coat just in case. It doesn’t mean you have to use it, and it won’t affect the weather. In other words, anticipating a complex situation doesn’t make it happen. It just lets you be ready if it does happen—and all the better if it doesn’t.
When should you seek palliative care?
Pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, digestive problems, anxiety, or discomfort related to treatment may warrant the involvement of the specialized team.
Palliative care can help anticipate challenges, support reflections on one’s life plan, or facilitate certain medical decisions when the situation is uncertain.
Needs change as the disease progresses. The team may step in at certain times and then step back once the situation stabilizes, before stepping in again if necessary.
A team dedicated to patients and their loved ones
The Mobile Palliative Care and Support Team (EMASP) brings together doctors, nurses, and volunteers who work in collaboration with other providers of supportive care: psychologists, dietitians, social workers, and medical teams from Gustave Roussy or in the community.
The team can be called upon by the referring physician, as well as by the patient or their family.
The Team's Responsibilities
- Relieve symptoms and discomfort
- Improve quality of life
- Anticipate high-risk situations
- Assist with decision-making in complex situations
- Supporting family members and caregivers
- Coordinate the various providers involved in the care pathway
- Supporting healthcare teams
The Different Types of Coverage
Opened in 2019, the UDEP is an acute care unit specializing in palliative medicine. It treats the most complex cases requiring enhanced multidisciplinary care, particularly when symptoms are difficult to control or when important treatment decisions need to be discussed.
Patients can receive a comprehensive consultation conducted by a team consisting of a doctor and a specialized nurse. Lasting approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, this care process allows for a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s situation and may involve several supportive care professionals during the same visit.
The team also visits patients at their bedsides in the inpatient units to provide its expertise when necessary, in coordination with the referring medical team.
International Recognition
Gustave Roussy has been recognized by the ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) as a center of excellence in integrated palliative care since 2008. This recognition highlights the integration of palliative care into the cancer care pathway and the quality of the support provided to patients.
To contact us:
- EMASP Secretariat: 01 42 11 40 06
- UDEP Secretariat: 01 42 11 65 77