Even though patients with hematologic malignancies are known to have substantial illness burden, poor quality of life, and aggressive care at the end of life, most trials of early palliative care have not included patients with hematologic malignancies, according to a recent review.

When compared to patients with solid tumors, those with hematologic malignancies are more likely to die in the hospital and receive chemotherapy at the end of life, and are less likely to utilize hospice. The authors discuss barriers to palliative care integration in hematology, highlight several reports of successful integration, and suggest specific indications for involving palliative care in the management of hematologic malignancy patients.