Palliative care and haematology

Abstract

In their advanced stages, progressive disease of any organ finds inroads into the core functions of the body, disrupting it in multifarious ways. Haematological function, the most fundamental of all, is one of the earliest to be affected, irrespective of the organ of origin of the disease. The impairment can reach proportions that endanger survival. This chapter depicts the common concerns affecting the haematological system of patients with advanced systemic diseases It provides an overview of various symptomatic presentations of haematological system dysfunctions and their management, in patients with palliative care needs. We include an overview of the palliative care needs, and opportunities and challenges in incorporating palliative care within the comprehensive care of patients with haematological malignancies