New England Journal of Medicine · 2013 · 58 citations · 0 references
MedicineOncologySurgeryGeriatricsPalliative CareSurgical OncologyEnd-of-life Decision MakingGeriatric Palliative CarePalliative Care In Older AdultsPalliative SurgeryPleural SurgeryThoracic SurgeryElderly Patient SurgeryHierarchyMalignant Pleural EffusionPerioperative Decision-makingPleural Disease SurgeryPleural Effusion In MalignancyPleural Malignancy SurgerySurgery Decision-making
Awaiting surgery for a malignant pleural effusion, the man is in pain and looks much older than his 50 years. The medical oncologist thinks he's dying. But the surgeon believes the procedure will help, and medical hierarchy discourages questioning of such decisions.