plenary

Question 1

CT scan

Answer 1

CT with contrast gives much more detail than a CXR
Much higher radiation dose (0.1 v 7mSv)
Same as living for 2 years with standard background radiation

Question 2

PET scan

Answer 2

PET scan has a radioisotope attached to sugar
Shows up very metabolically active cells
Much higher radiation dose (25mSv)

Question 3

genetic tests

Answer 3

EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor
ALK: anaplastic lymphoma kinase – codes for an abnormal protein, tyrosine kinase, which drives the growth of the cancer
PD-1/PD-L1: programmed death ligand, checkpoint proteins stop the cancer cells from pushing the stop button.

Question 4

palliative care definitions

Answer 4

any form of medical care or treatment that concentrates on reducing the severity of disease symptoms, rather than striving to halt, delay or reverse progression of the disease itself or provide a cure.

Question 5

specialist palliative care

Answer 5

Specialist palliative care is palliative care provided at the expert level, by a trained multi-professional team, to manage persisting, severe or complex problems
Difficult symptoms
Challenging end-of-life issues, including bereavement support
Complex discharge planning
Support of clinicians providing general palliative care

Question 6

palliative approach

Answer 6

Supporting patient and family through the process of physical deterioration and dying
Goes beyond pain and symptom management
Psychological/social/spiritual aspects of care
Ensure treatment is appropriate
Aim is not to prolong life at all costs, but to make life as comfortable and meaningful as possible
Avoid unnecessary investigations and treatments
Avoid prescribing a lingering death