Limited published data exists reporting the effectiveness of measures in the treatment of xerostomia in cancer patients. Based on primary research of low quality, firm conclusions cannot be drawn. However, pilocarpine, artificial saliva, chewing gum and acupuncture can be tried based on the available data. This highlights the explicit need to improve our evidence base. Properly constructed randomized controlled trials demonstrating effectiveness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for dry mouth are required.

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Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms in palliative care and can be highly distressing to patients. This review discusses the mechanisms by which nausea and vomiting are triggered, using case studies to highlight the most common scenarios and how to manage these.