The medical oncologist's role in palliative care: AIOM's position

Progress made in the treatment and better management of cancer patients has significantly improved overall survival, with 75% of the patients alive 5 years after the first diagnosis and 50% over a follow-up of 10 years. Therefore, cancer often becomes a chronic illness with a deep impact on the quality of life of the patients and their families. In fact, taking care of patients with cancer means not only to offer them the best therapeutic options but also to understand and anticipate their physical, functional, psychological, social and spiritual needs throughoutthe course ofthe disease.The quality of life of a cancer patient, thought of as the fundamental end point to achieve at every step of the disease, recognizes in supportive palliative care and rehabilitation the most important aspects. AIOM recently established a task force “Palliative care in oncology”, with three main targets: 1) to assure medical oncologist’ humane and professional growth in the context of palliative care; 2) to focus on the quality of life of all cancer patients admitted to oncology units and oncology departments; 3) to suggest operative solutions in order to assure to all cancer patients the best palliative support