Definition: Treatment that is intended to alleviate the symptoms of a disease (most commonly pain) without significantly changing its course or attempting to cure it.
Also Known As: Palliative Therapy
Palliative Treatment - Definition of Palliative Treatment
By Matthew Schmitz, M.D., About.com
Updated: October 03, 2008
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
Explore Prostate Cancer
Must Reads
About.com Special Features
Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >
Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >
Also from About.com:
©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.
All rights reserved.