Dr. LeBlanc on Incorporating Palliative Care in the Treatment of Hematologic Malignancies

Thomas W. LeBlanc, MD, MA, medical oncologist, palliative care physician, Duke Cancer Institute, gives advice on incorporating palliative care in the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies.

LeBlanc says that medical oncologists should consider actively engaging palliative care specialists in the management of patients with hematologic malignancies.

It has been shown that patients undergoing stem cell transplant who were randomized to early concurrent palliative care experienced significant benefits in symptom management, quality of life, and a reduction in post-traumatic stress and depression.