Dr. Franco De Conno is a distinguished pioneer who established palliative care as a recognized medical specialty within the Italian healthcare system. He served as Director of the Palliative Care, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Department at the Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, where he developed comprehensive programs integrating symptom management with holistic patient support. With initial training in anesthesiology, Dr. De Conno transitioned to pain therapy before recognizing the critical need for specialized end-of-life care services in Italy where such approaches were virtually nonexistent thirty years ago. His visionary leadership extended to directing the School of Lymphology and the School of Training and Continuing Education in Palliative Medicine, creating structured educational pathways for healthcare professionals in this emerging discipline.
Dr. De Conno's groundbreaking contributions transformed palliative medicine from an overlooked aspect of cancer treatment into an essential component of comprehensive oncological care. He played a pivotal role in authoring the influential Libro Bianco (White Book) on oncological rehabilitation, which established evidence-based guidelines for integrating palliative approaches throughout the cancer care continuum rather than solely at end-of-life. His clinical innovations demonstrated how systematic symptom control and psychosocial support significantly enhance quality of life for patients with advanced malignancies, challenging traditional perceptions of terminal care. Through his leadership in the European Association for Palliative Medicine, Dr. De Conno helped standardize care protocols that have been implemented across numerous healthcare institutions throughout Italy, creating sustainable models for compassionate patient-centered care.
Beyond his clinical achievements, Dr. De Conno has profoundly shaped national healthcare policy through strategic collaborations with patient advocacy organizations including F.A.V.O. (Federazione italiana delle Associazioni di Volontariato in Oncologia). His educational initiatives have trained hundreds of physicians, nurses and allied health professionals in palliative care principles, establishing a nationwide infrastructure for specialized end-of-life services. As a respected voice in international palliative medicine circles, he continues to advocate for the early integration of palliative approaches alongside curative treatments rather than as a last resort. Dr. De Conno's enduring legacy lies in his successful transformation of palliative care from a marginal concern to a fundamental element of comprehensive cancer treatment, ensuring dignity, comfort and quality of life for countless patients facing serious illness.
