Microsoft Word - IJHHS IMAM 23rd ASC 2022


  
 

 S30

Case Series: Palliative Care Challenges in Head and Neck Cancer Patients  
  
Mohamad Zulfadhli Abdullah1, Nor Amalina Abd Latif1 , Siti Khairizan Rahim2   
  
Head and neck cancer cases are increasing and there were 4870 new cases reported by Malaysian 
National Cancer Registry in the year 2020. Most of the cases are aggressive and diagnosed in the 
advanced stage. In Pusat Perubatan Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam (PPUSMB), the commonest head 
and neck cancer cases referred to the palliative care team are lip and oral cavity cancer, followed by 
maxillary squamous cell carcinoma. We reviewed 10 cases of head and neck cancer and analysed the 
challenges in managing pain, wound and nutrition.  

We have selected 10 cases of head and neck cancer referred to the palliative care team between 
the year 2019 to 2022. The patients were aged between 38 to 77 years old and in the advanced stage of 
cancer. The cases selected consist of six cases of tongue cancer, two cases of maxillary squamous cell 
cancer and two cases of lip cancer.   

The most challenging pain symptom was during brachytherapy, radiotherapy session and pain 
from the wound. The highest cumulative dose of opioids (oral morphine milligram equivalent) required 
was 660 mg morphine in 24 hours for a patient with tongue cancer.   

Most of the wounds developed were due to the cancer progression and after radiotherapy. 
Caretakers and nurses handling the wounds faced challenges to find suitable types of dressings as most 
of the cases have non-healing wounds with excessive discharge and tendencies to bleed.  
Most of the patients had difficulties feeding orally and percutaneous gastrostomy tube feeding was the 
best option to maintain nutritional support in this population.  

Palliative care is an approach to improve the quality of life of these patients and their caretakers. 
They manifest a diverse range of physical symptoms but pain control, wound care and nutritional 
support are the most challenging parts encountered by both caretakers and the palliative care team.  
  
Keywords: Head and neck cancer, Palliative care, Pain, Wound care, Nutrition.  
  

1. Pusat Perubatan Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, Pulau Pinang  
2. Internal Medicine, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, Pulau Pinang  

  

 

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Correspondence to:  

Mohamad Zulfadhli Abdullah, Medical Officer, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Sains Malaysia Bertam, 
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, zulab2994@usm.my  

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v7i70.532