Abstract
Dyspnea, like pain, is a subjective experience that incorporates physical elements and affective components. Management of breathlessness in patients with cancer requires expertise that includes an understanding and assessment of the multidimensional components of the symptom, knowledge of the pathophysiologic mechanisms and clinical syndromes that are common in cancer, and familiarity with the indications and limitations of the available therapeutic approaches. Relief of breathlessness should be the goal of treatment at all stages of cancer. Good control of dyspnea will improve the patient's quality of life.
MeSH terms
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Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
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Anesthetics, Local / therapeutic use
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Antitussive Agents / therapeutic use
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Bronchodilator Agents / therapeutic use
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Causality
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Cough / diagnosis
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Cough / etiology*
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Cough / physiopathology
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Cough / psychology
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Cough / therapy*
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Dyspnea / diagnosis
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Dyspnea / etiology*
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Dyspnea / physiopathology
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Dyspnea / psychology
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Dyspnea / therapy*
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Humans
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Hypnotics and Sedatives / therapeutic use
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Neoplasms / complications*
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Oxygen Inhalation Therapy
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Palliative Care / methods*
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Palliative Care / psychology
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Quality of Life
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Tranquilizing Agents / therapeutic use
Substances
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Analgesics, Opioid
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Anesthetics, Local
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Antitussive Agents
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Bronchodilator Agents
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Hypnotics and Sedatives
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Tranquilizing Agents