For patients who may reach a point in their illness where further attempts at active therapy are either not possible or not advisable, we offer palliative care to maximize quality of life through pain control and aggressive symptom management. Our physicians and nurses have extensive experience in this area. Hospice care is an important part of palliative care and, when appropriate, is carefully coordinated by a patient's physicians, nurses, hospice nurses, medical directors, social workers, clergy (if desired) and volunteers. Hospice focuses on maintaining the comfort and quality of life for patients up to the time of death and providing support for the family during and after a patient's illness. Patients in the greater Phoenix and Tucson areas have access to a number of hospice programs, depending on where they live, and our staff is very comfortable in working with the hospice team members to achieve these goals.