Systemic Anticancer Therapy Near the End of Life: Association of Treatment Escalation With Hospital-Centered Care in Metastatic Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study

< .001), whereas age, performance status, and prior treatment burden were not significant predictors. Median survival from last treatment to death was 40 days. Overall, 73.7% of patients died in the hospital, and 50% in the intensive care unit (ICU).ConclusionsRecent treatment escalation was the main determinant of exposure to late-stage SAT. High hospitalization and ICU death rates suggest end-of-life care was delivered within a hospital-centered model. Earlier integration of palliative care and structured prognostic communication may better align treatment decisions with patient-centered goals.