Malignant tumors of the maxilla and its sinuses

Abstract

Relevance of the problem. Relevance of the problem. Improving the quality of life of patients with advanced and advanced forms of tumors is one of the most important medical and social problems of modern healthcare, palliative care helps to solve it. Liver cancer is a serious disease that is steadily growing in many countries of the world, its incidence and mortality reach more than one million people per year. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, malignant liver tumors occupy the fifth place among all cancers that occur in the world. Late diagnosis is due to low sanitary knowledge, insufficient vigilance of general practitioners, and the absence of regular preventive examinations. Purpose of the study: to assess the effectiveness of palliative care in patients with primary liver cancer. Materials and methods. During the 14-year observation period, we identified 974 patients diagnosed with primary liver cancer, of whom 606 (62.2%) were men and 368 (37.8%) were women. Palliative care provided to 41 patients was evaluated. Results. The predominant symptoms were identified and their severity was assessed. According to the questionnaires, among all the symptoms, chronic pain prevailed - 38 (92.7%), complaining of a gradual increase in pain under the ribs on the right and/or in the epigastric region, regardless of food intake. The pain was especially severe towards the end of the day, sometimes becoming severe at night. General weakness - 26 (63.4%), weight loss - 16 (39.0%), decreased appetite - 23 (56.1%), nausea - 13 (31.7%), vomiting - 8 (19.7%). Jaundice is less common - 7 (17.1%), 6 patients complained of itching of the skin. Ascites was detected in 12 (29.3%). Against the background of hepatomegaly and ascites, 9 (22%) patients had shortness of breath. 9 (22%) patients complained of insomnia. In a state of anxiety and panic, 9 (22%) patients were diagnosed. Conclusion. After the start of comprehensive palliative treatment, the vast majority of patients (65.8%) achieved a significant reduction in the manifestation of the main symptoms of liver cancer: pain reduction – 78%, weakness – 53.6%, appetite improvement – ​​51.2%, dry mouth – 34.2%, weight loss – 29.2%. It is necessary to further develop palliative care for this difficult category of patients.

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