First published 2008
Healthcare professionals face one of medicine's most difficult challenges when treating patients with advanced cancer. They must accurately predict how much time remains and communicate these forecasts to patients and families. Christakis examines how doctors and nurses can develop better prognostic skills through systematic analysis of available data. The book covers the fundamental principles of making survival predictions, statistical methods for evaluation, and ethical considerations in sharing difficult news. Fifteen specific cancer types receive detailed analysis once they reach advanced stages. The text also addresses common end-of-life conditions including bowel obstruction and brain metastases. Survival curves accompany each chapter to provide practical reference tools. This guide consolidates scattered research from palliative care and oncology literature into a single resource for healthcare teams making critical treatment decisions.
Genres: medical, non-fiction, health, academic
Vibes: informative, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: informed-consent
Paperback · Oxford University Press
Content warnings: terminal-illness