Brain cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the brain. Normal cells begin to divide into clusters and form cancer cells that eventually take over the organ or spread to other locations. If the cancer in the brain does spread to nearby organs or it is at a point where it is inoperable---the cancer is considered to be in its final stages. Knowing what the signs are and how to remain comfortable and pain-free are essential in end of life care.
Combative Behavior
Combative behavior is something that patients can exhibit during their final stages of brain cancer. This may come in the form of personality changes that are a direct result of tumor location or its pressure effects on the brain. In some cases, the patient may become withdrawn, irritable, belligerent and even violent. This coincides with one of the stages of grief and dying, and that is denial. The patient may begin to refuse care and be in denial about the prognosis of the disease. Other things that a patient may exhibit are hallucinations or confusion. Often times, these symptoms and others can be a direct result from radiation treatment on the brain. The radiation can destroy areas of the brain and affect the normalcy of brain function.
Physical Changes
Some patients may display drastic physical changes as a result of their brain cancer. The physical changes may take the form of limited range of motion function that could affect their ability to walk or support the body independently without the aid of a walker or wheelchair. In some cases, memory impairment---both long and short term may be displayed. A visible weight loss may also occur. This could be a result of pain medications or of the cancer attacking the body's digestive system. As the patient draws nearer to the final stages of life, they may begin to appear weaker, sleep more often, experience more pain and have difficulties with communication.
Palliative Care
A patient's oncologist may discuss instituting palliative care with him and his family. Having a hospice care team on board to help with pain control while keeping the patient healthy and comfortable is important. This means that only comfort measures will be implemented in order to give the patient the best quality of life. In some cases, radiation may be done in order to shrink tumors that may have spread throughout the body to the lungs or abdomen. The radiation may help shrink tumors so that the patient is more comfortable as they make their transition from life to death.
Death
Death occurs as one of the final stages of brain cancer. At this point, the cancer has taken over the major organs of the body, and they are no longer able to function. Signs of imminent death include slowed respiratory rate, coma, mottling or bluing of the skin and fingers, rattling in the chest and no pulse. A hospice nurse will visit and pronounce the date and time of the patient's death.
