8 Signs of Impending Death in Cancer Patients

Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified eight signs that are highly associated with an impending death in cancer patients. They systematically observed 52 physical and cognitive signs twice a day from the patient's admission to discharge or death. Of those 52 signs, they identified the eight most common warning signs associated with impending death within three days.

(Six Ways to Reduce the Risk of Cancer) David Hui, assistant professor, Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, and colleagues observed 357 cancer patients admitted to palliative care units, of which 57 percent ultimately died. "When cancer patients reach the last days of life, this is an extremely emotional time for families - their stress levels cannot be understated," said Hui. "Knowing when death is imminent would provide more information so that caregivers can plan appropriately. For clinicians, having this information could help reassure families that we are providing the best care possible," he added.

(The Leading Cancer Killer in Women is Not What You Think) The research was published in the journal Cancer and lists the following as the primary signs of an imminent cancer death -