Palliative care in the home: a case study of secondary histiocytic sarcoma in a 3-year-old child

Authors

  • Zuzana Karabová Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Work, Department of Nursing, University of Trnava, Slovakia. Children’s University Hospital and Clinic, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bratislava, Slovakia.
  • Lubica Ilievová Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Work, Department of Nursing, University of Trnava, Slovakia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17532/jhsci.2013.119

Keywords:

paediatric, palliative, secondary cancer, histiocytic sarcoma, home care, hospice

Abstract

This article describes the medical, psychological, and social challenges encountered during home-based, family-centred palliative care of a 3-year-old female with secondary histiocytic sarcoma diagnosed during treatment for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Histiocytic sarcoma is an exceedingly rare cancer in adults, but even less frequent and highly aggressive when presenting as a secondary cancer in children. Comprehensive, multidisciplinary paediatric hospice care services are not widely available across Slovakia,thus limiting the number of patients and families offered such highly specialized end-of-life care. This case study illustrates the primary benefits for the child and family of such a program as well as the impact on the medical and nursing professionals working in the fi eld of paediatric haematology-oncology.

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Published

2013-12-15

How to Cite

Karabová, Z., & Ilievová, L. (2013). Palliative care in the home: a case study of secondary histiocytic sarcoma in a 3-year-old child. Journal of Health Sciences, 3(3), 267–270. https://doi.org/10.17532/jhsci.2013.119

Issue

Section

Case reports