The incidence of cancer will continue to rise in the United States as the population ages. Despite the many advances in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment of neoplastic diseases, the number of people succumbing to their cancers will similarly increase. As these patients encounter symptoms toward the end of life, palliative means, both surgical and nonsurgical, must be employed to alleviate pain and suffering. This article reviews the definitions of palliative care, methods for evaluating quality of life and effect of interventions, unique aspects of surgical palliation, attitudes of surgeons concerning palliative surgery, and data from palliative surgery studies.