Palliative and Supportive Care

Palliative and Supportive Care

The Palliative and Supportive Care Department at Burjeel Cancer Institute is dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients with cancer and other serious illnesses. Our team provides comprehensive care to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients at all stages of their cancer journey. Palliative care can be offered alongside curative treatments, with a focus on symptom management and overall well-being.

Conditions We Support

We offer palliative and supportive care for patients with a wide range of cancers and serious conditions, including:

  • Advanced-stage cancers (breast, lung, colorectal, etc.)
  • Cancer-related pain
  • Chronic symptoms from cancer or treatment
  • Terminal cancer
  • Complex cancer cases requiring symptom management
  • Non-cancer-related chronic illnesses (advanced heart failure, COPD, kidney disease, etc.)

Palliative Care Services

Palliative Care Services

Our team provides a wide range of services focused on improving the quality of life for patients and their families:

Symptom Management

Symptom Management

Addressing symptoms such as pain, nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath caused by cancer or its treatment.



Pain Relief

Pain Relief

Offering various treatments to manage cancer-related pain, including medications, nerve blocks, and other interventions.

 

Emotional and Psychological Support

Emotional and Psychological Support

Counseling and support for patients and their families to help manage the emotional impact of serious illness.

 

Spiritual Care

Spiritual Care

Providing support for patients' spiritual needs, regardless of religious beliefs.

 

End-of-Life Care

End-of-Life Care

Compassionate care for patients at the end of life, focusing on comfort, dignity, and peace.

 

Decision-Making Support

Decision-Making Support

Helping patients and families navigate complex medical decisions, including advance care planning.

Our Approach to Care

Our palliative and supportive care team works closely with the patient's oncology and primary care team to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care:

Personalized Care Plans

Personalized Care Plans

Each patient receives a tailored care plan that addresses their specific needs and goals, whether managing symptoms during treatment or focusing on quality of life at the end of life.



Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Our palliative care specialists collaborate with oncologists, nurses, psychologists, and spiritual care providers to ensure all aspects of the patient's well-being are supported.



Seamless Integration

Seamless Integration

Palliative care is integrated into the patient's overall treatment plan, ensuring that symptom management is coordinated with cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

 

Home and Hospice Care

Home and Hospice Care

For patients with advanced illness, we offer home-based palliative care and hospice services to provide comfort and support in familiar surroundings.


Symptom Management and Support

Symptom Management and Support

Our palliative care team is highly experienced in managing complex symptoms related to cancer and its treatment:

Cancer-Related Pain

Cancer-Related Pain

Managing pain through medications, interventional procedures (nerve blocks, epidurals), and complementary therapies.

 

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and Vomiting

Offering medications, dietary support, and alternative therapies to manage nausea caused by treatment.

 

Breathlessness

Breathlessness

Providing medications and respiratory therapies to alleviate shortness of breath, common in lung cancer and other advanced cancers.

 

Fatigue and Weakness

Fatigue and Weakness

Offering physical therapy, rehabilitation, and nutritional support to improve strength and energy levels during and after cancer treatment.

Supportive Care Services

In addition to palliative care, we offer a variety of supportive services designed to enhance the well-being of patients throughout their treatment journey:

Rehabilitation Services

Rehabilitation Services

Physical and occupational therapy to help patients regain strength and function during or after treatment.

 

Nutritional Counseling

Nutritional Counseling

Tailored dietary plans to support patients' nutritional needs during cancer treatment.

 

Psychological Counseling

Psychological Counseling

Support from oncology psychologists to help patients and families cope with the emotional challenges of cancer.

 

Spiritual Care

Spiritual Care

Chaplaincy services available to provide spiritual and emotional support, regardless of religious or spiritual affiliation.

 

Patient Navigation

Patient Navigation

Dedicated patient navigators to assist with care coordination, appointments, and managing the logistics of treatment.


Supportive Care Services

Advanced Palliative Techniques

Advanced Palliative Techniques

At Burjeel Cancer Institute, we offer a range of advanced techniques to manage symptoms and improve quality of life:

Nerve Blocks and Pain Pumps

Nerve Blocks and Pain Pumps

Advanced procedures to control pain when traditional medications are insufficient.

 

Spinal and Epidural Analgesia

Spinal and Epidural Analgesia

For patients with severe cancer pain that requires more direct intervention.

 

Intrathecal Analgesia

Intrathecal Analgesia

Delivering pain relief directly to the spinal fluid for more effective management of chronic pain.

 

Integrative Therapies

Integrative Therapies

Offering complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and relaxation techniques to support symptom relief and emotional well-being.

Patient Journey

The palliative and supportive care team provides ongoing care throughout a patient's journey with cancer or serious illness:

Initial Consultation

Initial Consultation

A comprehensive assessment of the patient's symptoms, concerns, and personal goals. A tailored care plan is developed in collaboration with the oncology team.

 

Symptom Management

Symptom Management

Ongoing management of pain, nausea, and other symptoms through medications, procedures, and alternative therapies.

 

Ongoing Support

Ongoing Support

Regular follow-up appointments to adjust treatment, provide emotional and psychological support, and ensure the patient's needs are being met.

 

End-of-Life Care (if applicable)

End-of-Life Care (if applicable)

Providing compassionate care focused on comfort, dignity, and emotional support during the final stages of life, with full involvement of family members in the care process.

Meet Our Experts

Our palliative and supportive care team includes specialists in:

Neil Arun Nijhawan 

Dr. Neil Arun Nijhawan 

Pain and Palliative Medicine , Palliative and Supportive Care

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