Comparing end-of-life care of hematologic malignancy versus solid tumor patients in a tertiary care center

Abstract

Objectives: To compare end-of-life (EOL) care for solid tumor and hematologic malignancy (HM) patients. Methods: We collected data on the last 100 consecutive deceased HM and 100 consecutive deceased solid tumor patients who died prior to June 1st 2020, treated at a single center. We compared demographic parameters, cause of death as ascertained by review of medical records by two independent investigators, and EOL quality indicators including: place of death, use of chemotherapy or targeted/biologic treatment, emergency department visits as well as hospital, inpatient hospice and Intensive Care Unit admissions and the time spent as inpatient over the last 30 days of life; mechanical ventilation and use of blood products during the last 14 days of life. Results: In comparison with solid tumor patients, HM patients more commonly died from treatment complications (13% vs. 1%) and unrelated causes (16% vs. 2%, p