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Purpose <p>To assess the timeliness of referral to an outpatient palliative care clinic for patients with advanced cancer and to evaluate key markers of intervention efficacy.</p> Methods/patients <p>Retrospective study of 177 consecutive patients with advanced cancer referred to outpatient palliative care in a tertiary hospital.</p> Results <p>Median survival post-referral was 268&#xa0;days (95% CI 228–308). Fatigue (48%) and pain (21%) were the most frequent symptoms. Significant symptom improvement was observed between initial and second visits: the median ESAS score dropped from 7 (5–8) to 5 (3–7) (p &lt; 0.001). Severe ESAS scores for the primary symptom decreased from 63 to 30% (p &lt; 0.001). Advance Care Planning (ACP) was documented in 94% of patients. 1% of deceased patients received anticancer treatment in the last 14&#xa0;days, 7% in the last 30&#xa0;days.</p> Conclusions <p>Early palliative care referral was associated with improved symptoms, higher rates of ACP, and reduced aggressive end-of-life care, supporting the expansion of palliative care resources.</p>

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Timing and outcomes of outpatient palliative care consultations in advanced cancer

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月27日

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  • Juan Luis Torres-Tenor,
  • Eduardo Bruera,
  • María José Ortí-Hortelano,
  • Teresa Pérez-Manrique,
  • Melissa Cuesta-Pastor,
  • Alberto Alonso-Babarro

摘要

Purpose

To assess the timeliness of referral to an outpatient palliative care clinic for patients with advanced cancer and to evaluate key markers of intervention efficacy.

Methods/patients

Retrospective study of 177 consecutive patients with advanced cancer referred to outpatient palliative care in a tertiary hospital.

Results

Median survival post-referral was 268 days (95% CI 228–308). Fatigue (48%) and pain (21%) were the most frequent symptoms. Significant symptom improvement was observed between initial and second visits: the median ESAS score dropped from 7 (5–8) to 5 (3–7) (p < 0.001). Severe ESAS scores for the primary symptom decreased from 63 to 30% (p < 0.001). Advance Care Planning (ACP) was documented in 94% of patients. 1% of deceased patients received anticancer treatment in the last 14 days, 7% in the last 30 days.

Conclusions

Early palliative care referral was associated with improved symptoms, higher rates of ACP, and reduced aggressive end-of-life care, supporting the expansion of palliative care resources.