German Version

Project leader: Prof. Dr. Claudia. Bausewein, Prof. Dr. Raymond Voltz, Prof. Dr. Steffen Simon
Contact: Prof. Dr. Steffen Simon, Dr. Anne Pralong
Duration: 06/2024 - 05/2026
Funding institution: German Guideline Program in Oncology (GGPO)

In view of the high prevalence of cancer diseases, the need for palliative care of patients with incurable malignancies is high. Alongside comprehensive oncological management, integration of palliative medicine into the care of these patients with a high burden of symptoms and complex needs plays a vital role in preservation of the best attainable quality of life right up to the time of death.

The evidence and consensus based National Guideline on Palliative Care of Patients With Incurable Cancer” has been developed since 2011. The guideline serves as an aid for decision-making in practice and provides systematically developed key recommendations on the basis of the best possible evidence and clinical experience of a large number of experts.

The guideline is now being updated, as is planned after five years. To this end, the evidence on selected topics will be updated and the key recommendations will be adapted on the basis of this evidence and by formal consensus by a national group of experts. In addition, the consensus-based recommendations are also checked for the need for any changes and, if necessary, also re-consented or deleted. Finally, care topics that have so far been insufficiently addressed in the guideline will be addressed in more detail or in a new way if necessary. The aim of updating the guideline is to further optimize palliative medical care for patients with incurable cancer and to achieve a high expected health benefit for these patients.