Palliative care for adults across the cancer trajectory: from diagnosis to end of life.

Objectives: To provide an overview of palliative care across the cancer trajectory from diagnosis through treatment, the chronic phase, and end of life.

Data Sources: Journal articles, research reports, state of the science papers, and clinical practice experience and guidelines.

Conclusion: Symptoms occur throughout the cancer trajectory but are more common during active treatment and at the end of life. Symptom assessment facilitates optimal management of symptoms, promotion of comfort, and improvement in quality of life.

Implications For Nursing Practice: Clinicians have a responsibility to anticipate and assess symptoms throughout the illness trajectory. Identification of symptoms should prompt a plan of care that is based on evidence-based guidelines and best practices.