[A "good death" needs to be discussed. A study of patients with acute myeloid leukemia demonstrates the value of palliative care].

The incidence of AML in Sweden is 5.4/100,000, i.e. 300 persons a year. About 70% of the patients die from their disease. In a retrospective study of medical journals of 106 patients with AML, who had died 1995-1997 in five selected hospitals in Sweden, the last week in life was studied. Sixty-six women and 40 men (age 19-84, mean 67) were included and 658 days of care were documented. The cause of death, the place of death, the type of care and clinical problems and symptoms were registered. We found bleeding (44%), infection (71%), pain (76%) and respiratory (59%) and psychological (64%) problems. Next of kin were often present and during the last week in life 3/4 of the patients had palliative care focusing on symptom relief and quality of life for the patients and his/her family.