Palliative Care in Blood Cancer: Meeting Patient Needs At Every Stage

When you hear “palliative care,” you may feel unsure or even anxious. There are many misconceptions about palliative care and what it means. Many people mistakenly believe it means stopping active treatment or preparing for the end of life. In reality, palliative care is specialized medical care designed to improve quality of life for people living with serious illnesses, including blood cancers, at any time during and after their treatment.

Palliative care is also sometimes called supportive care. It focuses on relieving symptoms, managing stress, and providing emotional and practical support for both patients and caregivers. Importantly, palliative care can start at diagnosis and continue alongside treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapies, or stem cell transplantation. The goal is to help you live as fully and comfortably as possible, at every stage of your cancer journey.

Why palliative care matters in blood cancer

Blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma can cause complex physical and emotional challenges. Yet, studies show that people with blood cancers are less likely to receive palliative care than those with solid tumors, even though their needs are often the same or greater.

People undergoing treatment for blood cancer frequently face symptoms such as fatigue, pain, nausea, or sleep problems. For example, patients receiving stem cell transplants may experience mouth sores, digestive issues, and emotional strain from long hospital stays or social isolation.

Integrating palliative and supportive care early can help ease these symptoms and prevent long-term distress. In fact, research shows that people who receive palliative care alongside their treatment often live longer, report better quality of life, and have fewer hospitalizations.

Watch our free educational webinar Palliative Care for Blood Cancer Patients and Caregivers where experts bring a comprehensive insight into how people can benefit from palliative care. 

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Palliative care through the cancer journey

During treatment

If the cancer center or hospital where you are receiving treatment has a dedicated palliative care team, they will work with your oncologist. They will address physical and emotional symptoms, support decision-making about your care, and help you with other concerns, like helping to improve sleep. If there is not a dedicated palliative care team where you are receiving care, this type of support may be provided by your oncologist, other health care providers, and supportive staff. 

In survivorship

Even after treatment ends, many people may experience lasting side effects such as nerve pain (neuropathy), fatigue, infertility, or cognitive changes. Emotional recovery can also take time, some people face anxiety, depression, or fear of relapse.

People who have undergone stem cell transplants may deal with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which can affect mobility, energy, and daily life. Palliative care during survivorship can support long-term recovery and help you regain a sense of normalcy.

At the end-of-life

End-of-life care for people with blood cancers can be complex. Patients often receive intensive hospital care and may not have timely access to hospice. Palliative care helps ensure that end-of-life care reflects your values and preferences. It can also provide comfort, ease symptoms, and support families through decision-making and grief.

Debunking myths and misconceptions of palliative care

For people living with blood cancers, palliative care can help provide relief from common side effects or symptoms. But some people may avoid accessing palliative care because they do not understand why it matters. It is s important to address misconceptions that may discourage people from reaching out to a palliative care team.

Myth #1: Palliative Care Is Only for End-of-Life Situations

Palliative care is not limited to the final stages of illness. It can start at any point after diagnosis and is focused on managing pain, fatigue, and emotional distress while you continue active treatment. Receiving palliative care early can lead to better outcomes and greater comfort throughout treatment.

Myth #2: Palliative Care Is the Same as Hospice

While both focus on quality of life, palliative care can be provided at any stage, even when you are pursuing curative treatments. Hospice care, on the other hand, is typically offered when curative treatment is no longer effective or desired. Hospice care usually begins when doctors believe a person has six months or less to live.

Myth #3: Palliative Care Is Only for Cancer Patients

Palliative care supports anyone living with a serious illness. People with heart failure, dementia, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, or chronic lung disease can benefit from the same symptom management and emotional support. Nearly half of those receiving palliative care do not have cancer.

Myth #4: Palliative Care Offers No Emotional Support

Palliative care provides comprehensive support that includes physical, emotional, and spiritual support. The team helps patients and families navigate uncertainty, manage anxiety or depression, and improve communication between loved ones and care providers.

Myth #5: Palliative Care Is Expensive

Palliative care is a medical specialty, and most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover it just like other specialist visits. In many cases, it can reduce overall healthcare costs by helping avoid unnecessary hospitalizations or emergency room visits.

Debunking myths and misconceptions of palliative care

For people living with blood cancers, palliative care can help provide relief from common side effects or symptoms. But some people may avoid accessing palliative care because they do not understand why it matters. It is s important to address misconceptions that may discourage people from reaching out to a palliative care team.

Myth #1: Palliative Care Is Only for End-of-Life Situations

Palliative care is not limited to the final stages of illness. It can start at any point after diagnosis and is focused on managing pain, fatigue, and emotional distress while you continue active treatment. Receiving palliative care early can lead to better outcomes and greater comfort throughout treatment.

Myth #2: Palliative Care Is the Same as Hospice

While both focus on quality of life, palliative care can be provided at any stage, even when you are pursuing curative treatments. Hospice care, on the other hand, is typically offered when curative treatment is no longer effective or desired. Hospice care usually begins when doctors believe a person has six months or less to live.

Myth #3: Palliative Care Is Only for Cancer Patients

Palliative care supports anyone living with a serious illness. People with heart failure, dementia, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, or chronic lung disease can benefit from the same symptom management and emotional support. Nearly half of those receiving palliative care do not have cancer.

Myth #4: Palliative Care Offers No Emotional Support

Palliative care provides comprehensive support that includes physical, emotional, and spiritual support. The team helps patients and families navigate uncertainty, manage anxiety or depression, and improve communication between loved ones and care providers.

Myth #5: Palliative Care Is Expensive

Palliative care is a medical specialty, and most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover it just like other specialist visits. In many cases, it can reduce overall healthcare costs by helping avoid unnecessary hospitalizations or emergency room visits.

Comparing costs with aggressive treatments

In many cases, palliative care can actually reduce overall healthcare costs. By focusing on symptom control, emotional well-being, and coordinated care, palliative teams can help prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits. In contrast, aggressive treatments (especially near the end of life) can be far more expensive and physically taxing, often with limited benefit to quality of life.

Ultimately, palliative care is an investment in comfort and stability, not an added financial burden. Talking with your healthcare team early can help you access the support you need without worrying about unexpected costs.

Sources: 

• Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Patients With Hematologic Malignancies
• Palliative Care Truths and Myths
• Common Palliative Care Myths & Misconceptions