As of: March 26, 2024, 8:35 a.m
By: Judith Braun
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Terminal cancer patients show certain signs of imminent death.
These can help both those affected and their relatives prepare for the farewell.
According to the
Federal Statistical Office,
cancer is the second most common cause of death in Germany.
Hundreds of thousands of people die of cancer in this country every year, as
tagesschau.de
reports.
Those affected often slowly lose their life as soon as the tumor gains the upper hand.
In such situations, it can be important for both the dying person and their relatives to prepare for the approaching death and farewell.
Palliative medicine specialists have put together 13 characteristics that indicate imminent death in terminal cancer patients.
Cancer death: 13 signs in the final stage can indicate approaching death
If death is imminent in cancer patients, this can be noticeable through wheezing.
© AMELIE-BENOIST / IMAGE POINT FR / BSIP/IMAGO
According to the German Medical Journal,
cancer patients in the final stages
may want to forego aggressive therapies and their relatives may want to take care of their final matters and say goodbye.
In these cases, knowing that death is approaching can potentially help make these preparations before the person passes away.
Palliative care specialists therefore believe it is important that doctors recognize the point at which it only takes a few days until death.
A research team led by Dr.
David Hui from the University of Houston put together the following characteristics:
missing pulse of the radial artery at the wrist
decreased urine production
Cheyne-Stokes breathing (pathological form of breathing that occurs when there is insufficient blood flow to the brain, such as after a stroke, damage to the central nervous system or arteriosclerosis)
Breathing with movement of the lower jaw
Rattling breathing
lack of pupillary reflex
Patients are no longer able to close their eyelids
Grunting sounds
Bleeding in the upper digestive tract
sagging nasolabial folds (nasolabial folds are depressions on the face that become visible between the wings of the nose and the corners of the mouth)
Neck hyperextension
weak response to verbal and visual stimuli
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Death from cancer: Characteristics of dying people can help doctors make decisions
If a pupillary reflex fails, cancer patients are 17 times more likely to die in the next three days than to survive.
This makes it one of the most telling signs. If those affected can no longer close their eyelids, they are 14 times more likely to die than to survive.
This sign also clearly indicates an approaching death.
However, if the signs are missing, this does not mean that the patient will survive the next few days.
The chance of living a little longer is also very low if one or more characteristics occur.
If doctors recognize the signs, they can help them make the right decisions.
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This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.