ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S1554

Clinical – Mixed sites & palliation

ESTRO 2025

3320

Digital Poster Timely integration of palliative care into oncology care for patients with bone metastases at the radiotherapy department: a pilot study Anouk van Oss 1 , Arianne Stoppelenburg 1,2 , Ellen de Nijs 1 , Rebecca van Jaarsveld 1 , Carly Heipon 2 , Natasja J.H. Raijmakers 2 , Yvette M. van der Linden 1,2,3 1 Center of Expertise for Palliative Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands. 2 Research and Development, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), Utrecht, Netherlands. 3 Department of Radiotherapy, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands Purpose/Objective: Patients with bone metastases and their family caregivers often have needs that go beyond pain management. Early integration of palliative care has shown to enhance quality of life, yet it is often initiated late. This study aimed to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of an introductory conversation with a palliative care consultant when patients are referred for palliative radiotherapy. Material/Methods: A single-center pilot study was conducted in which patients with bone metastases and their family caregivers participated in a brief introductory conversation with a consultant from the hospital’s palliative care consultation team. This meeting included a discussion of the potential benefits of integrating palliative care into their current or future care. Patients were given the option to request a more comprehensive follow-up consultation. Both patients and their family caregivers evaluated the acceptability of the introductory conversation, and consultants evaluated the feasibility, with statements on a 5-point Likert scale. Results: Between December 2022 and March 2024, 48 patients participated in the study. Median age was 73 years (range 24 91 years), with 63% being male. Most patients had prostate cancer (25%), and 52% were receiving systemic tumor directed treatment. Most patients and family caregivers (89%, 96%, respectively) appreciated the introductory conversation and would contact the team when having questions or concerns (77%, 82%). Almost two third was unaware of the existence of a palliative care team. Some patients and family caregivers found the conversation confronting (17%, 11%), or felt it was too early in their illness trajectory (31%, 26%). Follow-up consultations were scheduled for 8 patients (17%). Main reasons for patients not wanting a follow-up consultation included preferring to ask questions to their general practitioner or treating physician (9 times), already receiving palliative care (7 times), having no additional questions (7 times), or feeling it was too early in their illness trajectory (4 times). Of the 15 (31%) patients who died within three months following the introductory conversation, 3 had had a follow-up consultation, and 7 were already receiving palliative care from another healthcare professional. Consultants were able to conduct the conversation as instructed in 91% of cases. In 15% of cases they reported insufficient preparation time. Conclusion: Introductory conversations about palliative care at the radiotherapy department appear both acceptable and feasible. Future research aims to evaluate the effect of this systematic approach to early integration of palliative care on quality of life and patient satisfaction with care among individuals with bone metastases and their families.

Keywords: specialist palliative care, bone metastases