Abstract

Background: The importance of early palliative care in cancer treatment has gained recognition as a critical part of the cancer care continuum. Unlike traditional palliative care, which is often reserved for the end of life, early palliative care seeks to enhance quality of life, reduce symptom distress, and address psychological and social needs early in the cancer journey. While evidence of its effectiveness is mounting, there are inconsistencies in how it is delivered and the outcomes reported.
Methodology: The present study is a systematic review of published studies that assessed the impact of early palliative care in cancer. We conducted a systematic search of electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Studies were selected if they were randomized controlled trials or observational studies of adult patients with advanced or metastatic cancer. Data were extracted and quality assessed using established methods, and outcomes of interest included quality of life, symptoms, psychological outcomes, healthcare use, and survival.
Results: We identified 16 studies, mostly randomized controlled trials, in patients with advanced cancers. The studies showed that early palliative care was typically associated with substantial quality-of-life benefits, especially during longer-term follow-up. A number of studies also showed improvements in anxiety and depression, but the findings were inconsistent. Early palliative care was consistently associated with better quality of care at the end of life, including less aggressive care and higher rates of hospice care. Although some studies reported a survival benefit, this was not consistent across all studies. The impact and timing of effects were variable, with larger effects observed in studies that used structured and ongoing palliative care approaches.
Conclusion: Early palliative care in cancer care is linked with better patient outcomes, especially quality of life and quality of end-of-life care. While there is some variability in psychological and survival outcomes, the preponderance of evidence supports early palliative interventions as an integral part of cancer care. Additional studies are needed to refine intervention strategies and promote widespread implementation.

Key words: Effectiveness, early palliative interventions, end-of-life care quality, oncology, systematic review