Chemotherapy for cancer patients who present late.

Doctors should not overlook the potential benefits of chemotherapy in patients with incurable cancer

Non-invasive ventilation and palliation: experience in a district general hospital and a review.

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is increasingly being used in hospitals to treat respiratory failure. The use of NIV with palliative intent in a district general hospital is described and ten illustrative cases where NIV was used in an attempt to palliate symptoms or to 'buy time' are presented. The role of NIV in relieving symptoms in various conditions is reviewed and ethical aspects are considered.