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The expectations of metastatic cancer patients regarding palliative chemotherapy: A Brazilian–German qualitative study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 January 2023

Cynthia Pereira de Araújo Open the ORCID record for Cynthia Pereira de Araújo [Opens in a new window] ,
Ana Cláudia Mesquita Garcia Open the ORCID record for Ana Cláudia Mesquita Garcia [Opens in a new window]  and
Munir Murad Júnior
Cynthia Pereira de Araújo*
Affiliation:
First Regional Asset Recovery Coordination, Brazilian Federal Attorney General’s Office, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Ana Cláudia Mesquita Garcia
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Center for Studies in Palliative Care, School of Nursing, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
Munir Murad Júnior
Affiliation:
Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
*
Author for correspondence: Cynthia Pereira de Araújo, First Regional Asset Recovery Coordination, Brazilian Federal Attorney General’s Office, 1014 Alvarenga Peixoto Street, Apartment 1001, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 30180-120, Brazil. Email: cynthia.paraujo@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objective

To explore the expectations of Brazilian and German patients regarding metastatic cancer and palliative chemotherapy.

Methods

Interviews with 48 metastatic cancer patients from Brazil and Germany were conducted. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the thematic analysis approach to identify common themes. The sociodemographic data were collected using an instrument developed by the authors.

Results

A total of 48 patients participated in the study (58% were Brazilian and 42% were German). Of all participants, 35% were men and 65% were women. The participants’ mean age was 41 years. The general idea captured from the interviewees’ speech was that their diseases were curable or “while there is chemotherapy, there is life”; thus, the data analysis enabled the elaboration of the central theme, entitled “Mistaken expectations of metastatic cancer patients regarding palliative chemotherapy: While there is chemotherapy, there is life,” with 5 subthemes, namely: (1) communication and expectations; (2) normal life; (3) the person behind the disease; (4) religiosity and spirituality; and (5) the fortitude to choose between continuing or discontinuing treatment.

Significance of results

Regardless of cultural aspects, patients with metastatic cancer on palliative chemotherapy tend to believe in the healing potential of treatments. Dividing expectations only into curable or incurable is insufficient, as even patients who have acknowledged the incurability of their disease expect to live, as long as they remain under treatment as if the disease did not exist.

Keywords

Palliative chemotherapyCancerHospice careEnd of lifeEthics
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , February 2024 , pp. 96 - 102
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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