The final phase in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML): a study of cause of death, place of death and type of care during the last week of life

The aim of this study was to increase the knowledge of the final phase in a cute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a period which entails many complex medical a nd psychosocial decisions. Data on cause and place of death were gathered t hrough a retrospective review of medical and nursing records of 106 patient s with AML who had died during 1995-1997. We focused on the actual phase of the disease and to what extent the patients were prescribed palliative car e. With increased knowledge of the dying process in AML there are options t o discuss which approach would be the most preferred final phase for an AML patient. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.