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Ethical Decisions in the Care of a Patient Terminally III with Metastatic Cancer
An Ethics Case-Analysis from the Health Policy Program, University of California, San Francisco
Abstract
A case of a patient with metastatic cancer raises the issues of patient refusal of treatment, euthanasia, and unintended side effects of therapy. For each management dilemma, there are relevant ethical and legal considerations, justifications, and conclusions. In addition, psychological and social influences on the decision process tend to limit deliberation.
Article and Author Information
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▸From the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar Program; Stanford, California; and The Bioethics Program of the Health Policy Program, University of California; San Francisco, California.
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This work is supported in part by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the authors. The case was adapted for this discussion.
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▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Bernard Lo, M.D.; Clinical Scholar Program, Room S-102-C, Stanford University Medical Center; Stanford, CA 94305.
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- Received August 13, 1979.
- Accepted November 5, 1979.
- ©1980 American College of Physicians
