[Death as a moment of peace and trust].
A young woman with aphagia, probably caused by an esophageal cancer that could not be confirmed, is reported. Fully respecting the will of the patient at the end of her life, palliative care measures were instituted, even though the diagnosis was uncertain. This case emphasizes the integrative role of internists and the difficulty of making decisions about life and death without being in close touch with desires of our patients.
Duclos
Jaime
J
Servicio de Medicina, Hospital Naval Almirante Nef, Viña del Mar, Chile. jduclos@vtr.net
D001293:Attitude to Death; D026688:Bioethical Issues; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D012297:Right to Die / Q000941:ethics; D035502:Trust