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The graceful exit or reluctant demise of the older adult with acute myeloid leukemia
Author(s) -
Sekeres Mikkael A.,
Gerds Aaron T.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.29428
Subject(s) - medicine , optimism , myeloid leukemia , demise , intensive care medicine , disease , palliative care , induction chemotherapy , chemotherapy , nursing , psychotherapist , political science , law , psychology
Older adults with acute myeloid leukemia should be better prepared for the difficult realities of their disease, and clinicians should adjust their optimism about the potential benefits of induction chemotherapy and practice under the assumption that patients will relapse or that therapy will fail. These patients and their families will then be ready for the health care burden they are about to endure and will be much more open to the suggestion of palliative approaches or hospice when the time comes, recognizing it as part of the natural course of events.