RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN DYING FROM MALIGNANT DISEASE

Shortness of breath and other respiratory symptoms frequently complica te the symptomatic management of terminally ill adults. The extent of the problem in children is not known, but anecdotal evidence from nurs es and physicians experienced in paediatric oncology has suggested tha t respiratory problems are less frequent in children dying from malign ant disease than in adults. This is a retrospective review of all chil dren dying from cancer under the care of the symptom care team at the Royal Marsden Hospital between 1982 and 1993. The results show that re spiratory symptoms were recorded during the last three months of life in 40% of analysable case histories. The nature of respiratory symptom s in paediatric cancer patients is discussed.