Knowledge, feelings, and willingness to use palliative care in cancer patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors: a prospective, cross-sectional study in a comprehensive cancer center in Germany.

Purpose: Patients with hematologic malignancies (HM) receive palliative care (PC) less often and later than patients with solid tumors (ST). Patients' lack of knowledge about PC and negative feelings about PC are barriers to their willingness to use PC. Is there a difference between patients with HM and ST in their knowledge and willingness to use PC?

Methods: Two hundred ten patients (85 HM, 125 ST) from an oncology day clinic at a university hospital participated in this cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey.