End-of-Life Care and Palliative Care of Hematologic Malignancies

Hematologic malignancies comprising leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma present unique challenges in terms of palliative care and end-of-life care due to their unpredictable disease trajectory, variable prognosis, and rapidly changing clinical course. Patients often have high symptom burden and can experience a range of symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnea, pain, and emotional distress. Early integration of palliative care focusing on symptom management, psychosocial support, transfusion requirements, and optimizing quality of life is critical to address the unique needs of these groups of patients. Engaging patients and their families in a discussion about goals of care, treatment preferences, prognosis, and end-of-life wishes promotes shared decision-making and ensures that care aligns with patient’s values and preferences.