The Role of the Nurse in Modern Palliative Oncology: From Symptom Control to Integrative Care

Palliative care for cancer patients is undergoing significant changes, transitioning from narrow symptomatic treatment to a comprehensive integrative approach. The nurse becomes a key link in implementing modern palliative therapy protocols, including continuous analgesic infusions, metabolic modulators for cachexia management, pro-oxidant therapy, and integrative methods for improving quality of life. The article examines the main problems of palliative oncology – pain syndrome, cachexia, multiorgan failure – and the nurse's role in addressing them. Special attention is paid to international experience of nurse-led initiatives that have shown effectiveness in improving symptom control. The analysis covers promising directions for nursing development in palliative medicine, including interdisciplinary care coordination, application of innovative technologies, and integration of evidence-based practices into daily work.