• Treat the underlying cause of the cough if possible and appropriate.
• Aim to relieve symptoms (e.g. 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 psychological, social, and spiritual needs.

In depth

• Determine with the person, and their carers and family, what management is appropriate for the stage of illness.
• Options are to treat at home or admit for specialist care (e.g. hospital, specialist cancer centre, or hospice). Factors that may help support a decision on whether or not to admit include:
• Whether or not the person can be managed at home.
• The severity of the illness.
• Comorbidities such as an immunocompromised state.
• Whether the person is responding to treatment at home.
• Whether the person requires treatment of an underlying cause (e.g. radiotherapy to a tumour, drainage of a pleural effusion).
• If the decision is made to treat at home, consider treatment with an appropriate antibiotic.
• Discuss with a specialist if there is uncertainty regarding appropriate treatment or place of management.
• Also consider symptomatic treatment (e.g. to enhance the effectiveness of, or suppress, the cough). For more information, see Scenario: Symptomatic treatment.

In depth

• Determine with the person, and their carers and family, what management interventions are appropriate for the underlying cause of cough and the stage of illness, for example:
• Treatment of the underlying cause of the cough if possible.
• Referral for treatment of the underlying malignancy if needed (e.g. radiotherapy to a tumour, drainage of a pleural effusion).
• Referral if the cause of the cough is not directly related to the underlying malignancy, but is more appropriately managed in secondary care (e.g. worsening chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
• Admission to hospital (e.g. acute exacerbation of heart failure).
• If treatment of the underlying cause is not possible, or does not relieve the cough, consider symptomatic treatment (e.g. to enhance the effectiveness of, or suppress, the cough). For more information, see Scenario: Symptomatic treatment.

In depth