Palliative care unit treatment and care for a terminal breast cancer patient with untreated obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesAlthough palliative care units treat patients with various comorbidities, there are no reports of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).MethodsThe treatment and care of a breast cancer patient with OCD are presented.ResultsA woman in her 40s was admitted to the palliative care unit for terminal breast cancer. She spent most of the day cleaning the bath and bed areas, ignoring efforts to restrain her actions by the staff. After being diagnosed with OCD, the above symptoms improved through the coordinated action of the staff and medication.Significance of resultsThis is the first report of the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with OCD in a palliative care unit. Early psychiatric diagnosis and subsequent staff response contributed to improvement in the patient’s quality of life.