"Long live the king," banners and sentiments span the globe from Brazil to Qatar as Pele, the man once declared Brazil’s 'official national treasure,' lies in palliative care in Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Israeli Hospital, according to Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo.
As the World Cup plays on with hopes of a sixth title for Brazil, the report about the man who led Brazil to three World Cup victories said chemotherapy treatment for cancer had been suspended and that he was transferred to palliative care, only receiving treatment for pain and shortness of breath.
The news, in turn, led to various reports that the 82-year-old football legend is in the end-of-life stage.
However, a medical bulletin by the hospital —dated Nov. 3 and signed by his oncologist, endocrinologist and the center's superintendent, shared by Pelé in his Instagram page— says treatment continues and that he is also responding favorably to the treatment to a complication with a respiratory infection.
"Edson Arantes do Nascimento was hospitalised in the Albert Einstein Israeli Hospital this last Tuesday for a reevaluation of chemotherapy for a tumor in the colon identified in September 2021," said the medical bulletin.
"He continues in treatment and his state of health continues stable. He has had a good response also to care for a respiratory infection, not presenting any worsening in the last 24 hours."
For his part, Pele posted with it a message that says, "I am strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treatment as usual."
Then, the man widely regarded as the most influential and best football player in the world from the late ‘50s to early ‘70s and perhaps all-time, sent words of thanks to his fans all over the world that have been concerned about his health.
"My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive. I'm strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treatment as usual." The three-time world champion (1958, 1962, and 1970) wrote: "I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you all over the world keeps me full of energy. And watch Brazil in the World Cup too!"
Regarded by many around the world as the greatest player of all-time, Pele scored 77 times in 92 games wearing the colors of the Brazilian national team, playing in four World Cups and winning three. He also scored 643 goals in 659 official matches for his club Santos, made famous around the world as his home team.
The Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology recommends palliative care for patients with advanced cancer in the last weeks of life.
A January 2022 editorial in the Brazilian Journal of Oncology sets guidelines for moving a patient to palliative care. "It is important that the oncologist develops their skills in this scenario and knows how to recognize the moment of referral."”
The oncology journal’s recommendations also say that interventions resulting in palliative care "should be carried out by the oncologist with reference to the multidisciplinary team specialized in palliative care in the most critical moments of clinical evolution."
Aiming to improve quality of life, palliative care prioritizes relief from pain and other uncomfortable symptoms independently of the stage of disease.
Although palliative care is not always end-of-life, it can include such care, and it is an indication that physicians have considered the progression of the disease, responses to treatment, and a nearing end of life, says physician Dr. Gloria Susana Ayala Padilla of the conditions under which such decisions are made.
Aiming to improve quality of life, palliative care prioritises relief from pain and other uncomfortable symptoms independently of the stage of disease. Indications for palliative treatment consider a declining ability to complete activities of daily living as well as difficulty controlling physical or emotional symptoms related to a serious illness. Some patients live for years under palliative care.
As a 12-row-high banner wearing Pele’s likeness and a message "Pele, get well soon," was unfurled in the stands at games in Qatar, the sentiment was clear. "Long live the king."
"Thank you so much for everything," concluded Pele’s calming Instagram message to the world.