How do you counsel patients on the risks and benefits of chemotherapy or radiation offered with palliative intent?

Before I start counseling a patient on these decisions, I want to know a few things first.

1. I would want to know from the oncologists what they think the benefits are (i.e., how much more time might they get? Symptom control?) and what the risks are. The chances that the patient will see a benefit. ...

When meeting a patient who is being referred for consideration of palliative radiation therapy, I always ensure that the patient is aware of their prognosis based on their primary disease, extent of disease, and KPS to help inform decision-making and what their expected prognosis would be with aggre...