In principle, before a patient with cancer is admitted to an ICU, it should be clarified whether intensive care is medically indicated and desired by the patient or legal representative.

Acute medical care (without limitation of resources) should be offered to all seriously ill cancer patients if the intended therapeutic objective could be compatible with the overall prognosis of the underlying malignancy.

The patient's will or the information given by an authorised representative must be complied with if medically meaningful. If there is a lack of meaning, this should be communicated openly and empathetically with the affected persons, pointing out the alternatives.

In order to improve the quality of end-of-life care for critically ill cancer patients, e. g. the discontinuation of treatment and monitoring or maintaining of dignity and individual wishes, there should be close cooperation with specialist palliative care.