title: Palliative surgical oncology.
abstract: Palliative surgical oncology is a relatively new concept, but builds on a long tradition in surgery. As the field of palliative medicine grows and becomes its own specialty, surgeons have been receiving some specialized training in palliative care; devising specific palliative surgical procedures; and reevaluating the ethics of their interactions with patients, especially for the selection of palliative surgical procedures. This is leading to a new form of surgical practice in which the emphasis is on relief of present or anticipated symptoms, even if the interventions do not prolong a patient's life span.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. nhanna@smail.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: Nader N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bellavance
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Keay
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives; D003142:Communication; D003479:Curriculum; D003657:Decision Making; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D018447:Medical Futility; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000941:ethics; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration; D011788:Quality of Life; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000941:ethics