**2. Defining PC**

The meaning of the term PC has been widely debated among healthcare professionals and the general public. The term is frequently used interchangeably with hospice care. However, hospice care focuses specifically on end-of-life practices prioritizing patient comfort over prolonging life. Patients undergoing hospice care do not usually receive disease-modifying treatments (such as antineoplastic therapies for patients with lung cancer) designed to prolong survival. This is further complicated by the fact that, in oncology, the term "palliative" is used to describe treatments that are not intended to cure, even if the key objective of the treatment is to prolong survival.

For clarity, the WHO definition of PC is employed here [10]. The WHO defines PC as a treatment approach designed to enhance the QoL of patients suffering from long-term fatal illnesses and their families by identifying, preventing, and relieving suffering as early as possible, as well as addressing physical, psychosocial, and spiritual problems. The key features of PC include a team-based approach that provides pain and symptom relief, supports patients and their relatives to optimize coping and *Palliative Care for Patients with Lung Cancer: A Review of the Current Developments… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106797*

active living, and addresses the psychological and spiritual aspects of care. PC can be delivered at any stage during an illness and used in combination with treatments designed to cure diseases or prolong survival. Although it is in no way intended to hasten death, PC does involve recognizing that death is a normal process and must be carefully thought out in advance. Specialized PC is ideally delivered by an interdisciplinary team including healthcare providers (physicians and advanced practice providers), nurses, pharmacists, chaplains, social workers, physical therapists, and dieticians.
