Ethical challenges in oncology, explored through a series of vignettes
Tenner, L.; Helft, P.R.
Oncology 27(2): 87-90
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 0890-9091 PMID: 23530398 Document Number: 665051
The specialty of medical oncology poses many ethical dilemmas to the practicing physician. In this article, we have chosen to focus on three of those challenges, presenting them in the form of vignettes. The first dilemma deals with the difficulties physicians encounter secondary to the rising cost of cancer therapies when choosing and communicating about treatment plans with patients. The second scenario addresses difficulties associated with communicating prognosis to cancer patients, and the third challenge focuses on cancer treatment strategies for patients nearing the end of life.