source: Current Problems in Cancer

year: 2016

authors: Tsukanov J, Fabbro ED

The World Health Organization definition of palliative care (PC) declares that PC may be incorporated into the management of any patient with a life-limiting illness, whether early in the illness trajectory in conjunction with disease-specific therapies, or at the end of life. This concept of simultaneous care is underscored by an integrated model1 of PC in combination with oncologic care, a model supported by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and an important element of ASCO’s vision for achieving comprehensive cancer care. Light chain amyloidosis (AL), the most common form of systemic amyloidosis, is characterized by the production of light chain proteins by abnormal plasma cells. 

The deposition and accumulation of proteins in various organs cause injury and produce symptoms. However, similarly to patients with cancer, symptoms may be because of the disease process or the treatment, and can include fatigue, weakness, dyspnea, pain, dizziness, anorexia, cachexia, edema, diarrhea, and constipation. The degree of symptom burden, timing of onset, and location of affected areas vary among patients and although the initial site of presentation is unpredictable; a dominant site is often identifiable. 

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