We need to stop sugarcoating our cancer prognoses

Mrs. Liu, who was only 58 years old, had metastatic ovarian cancer. Despite radical surgery and chemotherapy, her disease persisted. Worse yet, her PET scan from a few months ago revealed that she had carcinomatosis — numerous deposits of cancer showered throughout her abdomen. This particular night, she starting having more nausea and couldn’t eat or drink anything without vomiting. So, she came to the ED. I was called into consult, and after talking with her, I laid hands on her abdomen: it was firm, unmistakably full of tumor. The subsequent CT scan confirmed that she had a malignant bowel obstruction. And now that the cancer had blocked her intestines, she was no longer able to eat. Mrs. Liu and her family members were blindsided by the news. They were scared and anxious. Of course their first question would be: How do we treat her next? Can we fix her with surgery? And so there I was. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician Emergency Surgery Source Type: blogs