Definition

Treatment given to help relieve the symptoms and reduce the suffering caused by cancer or other life-threatening diseases. Palliative therapy may help a person feel more comfortable, but it does not treat or cure the disease. For example, surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy may be given to remove, shrink, or slow the growth of a tumor that is causing pain. Palliative therapy may be given with other treatments from the time of diagnosis until the end of life.