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Palliative cancer care - cough - Management
What management should be considered for all people with cough in palliative care?
- Treat the underlying cause of the cough if possible and appropriate.
- Aim to relieve symptoms:
- Nurse the person in the position that causes least discomfort.
- Avoid smoke or fumes.
- Consider humidifying air.
- Manage dyspnoea if present. See the CKS topic on Palliative cancer care - dyspnoea.
- Consider management of other physical symptoms, and the psychological, social, and spiritual needs of the person and their family.
Clarification / Additional information
- The decision to treat the underlying cause of the cough will depend on:
- The wishes of the person.
- The inconvenience and risks of the investigations of the cause.
- The likely benefit of treatments.
- The person's life expectancy.
- Treatment of infection with antibiotics, drainage of effusions, radiotherapy to tumour masses or lymphadenopathy, or stenting of tracheo-oesophageal fistulae may provide symptomatic relief and improved quality of life [Estfan and LeGrand, 2004].
- For more information on the holistic care of the person and their family/carers, see the CKS topic on Palliative cancer care - general issues.
Basis for recommendation
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