Use of Palliative Chemo- and Radiotherapy at the End of Life in Patients With Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: Administration of chemotherapy and radiotherapy near the end of life is a frequently discussed issue nowadays. We have evaluated the factors associated with the use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the end of life among terminally ill patients in China. Methods: This study included the data from patients who had died from advanced cancer who underwent palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy between January 2007 and December 2013 at the Department of Palliative Care of Fudan University, Shanghai Cancer Center. Data were collected from hospital medical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify the factors independently associated with the use of chemo- and radiotherapy. Results: Among the 410 patients included (median age, 68 years; range, 18-93; 53% males), 47 (11.5%) underwent palliative chemotherapy and 28 (6.8%) underwent radiotherapy in the last 30 days. Age