[Palliative care for patients with hematological malignancies in the Japan Baptist Medical Foundation].

The Japan Baptist Medical Foundation has established a "hospice triangle" system consisting of the hospice ward, general ward, and home hospice. Palliative care is provided for patients with various types of cancer, including hematological malignancies, in the place where they desire to receive care. From December 2010 to December 2013, 37 patients with hematological malignancies received palliative care and died at our foundation. Eleven (30%) patients died in the hospice ward, 24 (65%) in the general ward, and 2 (5%) at home. The median interval between the final dose of chemotherapy and death was 12 (1- 88) days. Twenty (54%) patients received transfusions during the last 2 weeks prior to death. Quick response to patient situations and early introduction of palliative care are essential to support end-of-life decision-making processes, because the clinical course of hematological malignancies generally differs from that of other cancers.