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Palliative Care in Patients with Leukemia: When and How?

  • Leukemia (A Aguayo, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Oncology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Patients with hematologic malignancies get more aggressive treatment and the end-of-life, more ICU deaths, and prolonged hospital stays. In comparison to solid tumors, their access to palliative care and hospice is less.

Recent Findings

Multiple factors seem to play a role including curative goals, different treatment options, stronger relationship between patients and oncologist, symptom burden, and limitations of hospice care.

Summary

Improving the perception of palliative care in these patients, characterizing their needs, and more education can help to increase referrals and access to palliative care. Innovative ways to improve integration between hematology-oncology and palliative care are needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1414, Houston, TX, 77034, USA

    Marieberta Vidal, David Hui & Eduardo Bruera

Authors
  1. Marieberta Vidal
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  2. David Hui
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  3. Eduardo Bruera
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marieberta Vidal.

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Conflict of Interest

Marieberta Vidal, David Hui, and Eduardo Bruera declare they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Leukemia

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Vidal, M., Hui, D. & Bruera, E. Palliative Care in Patients with Leukemia: When and How?. Curr Oncol Rep 20, 95 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-018-0743-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-018-0743-5

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