This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Save to my personal folders Download to citation manager Rights & Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Loprinzi, C. L. Articles by Canellos, G. P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Loprinzi, C. L. Articles by Canellos, G. P.

A New Addition to the Journal of Clinical Oncology: The Art of Oncology—When the Tumor Is Not the Target

A NEW FEATURE IN the Journal of Clinical Oncology will be introduced with this iss many and changing facets of the practice of oncology it has been a challenge for the Journal to present contributions that will enhance the quality of cancer care. The American Society of Clinical Oncology, through its End-of-Life Committee, has defined an area that is underserved in oncology journals, namely, the sensitive but important issues that surround what can be defined as end-of-life care. The new section, titled "The Art of Oncology: When the Tumor Is Not the Target," is designed to focus and discuss the issues of patient communication, ethical decision making, and symptom control in the management of advanced cancer.

It will address relatively common topics that treating oncologists see in their practice. Specific questions these topics might address include the following: How should doctors address the question: "Doctor, how much time do I have left?" What should be done when a patient desires a full code status when the treating oncologist considers this futile? Should parenteral hydration be routinely used in terminal illness when the oral intake is poor? How specific should we be when we tell patients about the use of "minimally effective" chemotherapy? And how best are patients transferred from cytotoxic treatment to hospice care?

Although discussing these questions will provide some direction for practicing oncologists, it is well understood that there are no easy answers. Even more than providing specific direction in addressing these clinical situations, "The Art of Oncology" will stimulate thought and discussion so that we can further teach each other about how to address these real-life scenarios.

Rather than providing long, detailed, comprehensive reports, the section will be limited to a few pages to allow busy clinicians and academic oncologists the opportunity to receive a concise exposure to the topic.

The initial piece for this section, written by Mary Bretscher, MD, is entitled, "Caring for Dying Patients: What is Right?"¹ This essay illustrates a common clinical scenario. It provides reactions to the patient situation from various viewpoints, raising many questions about how we should deal with patients who have a life-threatening illness. We trust that this essay will stimulate discussion and provide a background for future works in this new section. Individuals who believe that they can contribute to this area are invited to submit manuscripts.

REFERENCES

1. Bretscher M: Caring for dying patients: What is right? J Clin Oncol 18:233-234, 2000[Free Full Text]

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Save to my personal folders Download to citation manager Rights & Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Loprinzi, C. L. Articles by Canellos, G. P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Loprinzi, C. L. Articles by Canellos, G. P.