NCT02556619

Randomized Control Trial (RCT) of Early Palliative Care for HCC

Early Symptom Control and Palliative Care Referral for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma; a Randomized Control Trial

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 72 (estimated)
• Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the effect of early palliative care consultation on quality of life, use of hospital resources, end-of-life care and survival among Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) patients with advanced End Stage Live Disease not eligible for potentially curative or local area therapy. Half of patients will receive early palliative care at diagnosis of HCC and other half will receive palliative care when all standard therapy treatments have been exhausted.

Detailed description

Intro: Hypothesis Methods Analysis Anticipated Results Palliative care will focus on providing relief from the symptoms and stress associated from cancer. This helps improve quality of life for cancer patients and their family. This care is usually offered to patients when all standard therapy treatments have been exhausted.

Conditions

• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Early Palliative Care/Symptom Control	1. Establish palliative care goals 1. Determination of Medical Power of Attorney 2. Discuss/plan code status/advance directives 3. Document palliative care goals 2. Symptom Assessment and Control 1. Pain-treatment with opioid and non-opioid medications 2. Itching-H2 blockers, steroids 3. Nutrition-appetite stimulated with Megace, review low sodium diet 4. Ascites/edema- optimize ascites management with Lasix or Aldactone. In refractory cases intermittent paracentesis can be performed 5. Nausea- treated with anti-emetics 6. Jaundice and Body Image- counselling regarding symptoms 3. End-of-Life Care 1. Discuss religious preferences 2. Assess for distress- ensure interaction with Cancer Resource Center 3. Hospice- charity Hospice options for select patients.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-04-02
• Primary completion: 2021-09-01
• Completion: 2021-09-01
• First posted: 2015-09-22
• Last updated: 2021-04-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States