Chemotherapy and hormonal manipulation

Abstract Chemotherapy can play an important part in the control of pain and other symptoms in cancer patients. Its use in the context of curable disease is not disputed but as part of a palliative approach to cancer care, chemotherapy has an unacceptable image in the eyes of many non-oncology health-care workers. It is often cited as a cause of significant symptoms due to the associated toxicities and side-effects. As a result the positive outcome for some patients may be overlooked. Lack of knowledge and of experience in caring for patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy are both reasons why some clinicians fail to consider using chemotherapy as a method of symptom relief.