Ethical Dilemma: Is it Worthwhile Operating an End-Stage Pancreatic Cancer Patient with Acute Mesenteric Artery Ischemia?

Pancreatic cancer is as an aggressive malignancy with low survival rates. We present the first case of an operation of acute mesenteric ischemia performed in a patient with end-stage pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Through this case, we also discuss raising concerns regarding the management of severe com...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Christos Damaskos, Nikolaos Garmpis, Anna Garmpi, Vasiliki Epameinondas Georgakopoulou, Alexandros Patsouras, Georgia Sypsa, Athanasios Syllaios, Efstathios A. Antoniou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Vilnius University Press 2021-12-01
Series:Acta Medica Lituanica
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.zurnalai.vu.lt/AML/article/view/24504
Description
Summary:Pancreatic cancer is as an aggressive malignancy with low survival rates. We present the first case of an operation of acute mesenteric ischemia performed in a patient with end-stage pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Through this case, we also discuss raising concerns regarding the management of severe complications such as acute mesenteric ischemia in patients with progressed pancreatic carcinoma. How ethical is to leave patients untreated? The decisions for management of patients with advanced disease are strongly based on the expected quality of life, ethical principles, different religions and spiritualities, and the burden of healthcare cost.
ISSN:1392-0138
2029-4174