An 80 year-old man presents with severe bone pain as a result of advanced prostate cancer that ha... more An 80 year-old man presents with severe bone pain as a result of advanced prostate cancer that has become widely metastatic. Unfortunately, the advanced stage of his illness makes any attempt at surgical intervention futile. Even with hormone therapy, the prognosis for metastatic prostate cancer is grim. He has, however, lived a healthy life and could continue to live, albeit with decreasing health, for several months to perhaps a few years. His pain can be controlled, but only with liberal use of strong narcotics that render him unconscious. Having emigrated from Thailand, he is a devout Buddhist who is, on a spiritual level, dedicated to the destruction of suffering. He believes that he has lived a full and rewarding life, and he would like to end his suffering in this life. But, before he requests the help of his physicians in ending it, he asks for moral and spiritual guidance in making such an important decision. To address his concerns, an ethics team is convened. What do you do?
An 80 year-old man presents with severe bone pain as a result of advanced prostate cancer that ha... more An 80 year-old man presents with severe bone pain as a result of advanced prostate cancer that has become widely metastatic. Unfortunately, the advanced stage of his illness makes any attempt at surgical intervention futile. Even with hormone therapy, the prognosis for metastatic prostate cancer is grim. He has, however, lived a healthy life and could continue to live, albeit with decreasing health, for several months to perhaps a few years. His pain can be controlled, but only with liberal use of strong narcotics that render him unconscious. Having emigrated from Thailand, he is a devout Buddhist who is, on a spiritual level, dedicated to the destruction of suffering. He believes that he has lived a full and rewarding life, and he would like to end his suffering in this life. But, before he requests the help of his physicians in ending it, he asks for moral and spiritual guidance in making such an important decision. To address his concerns, an ethics team is convened. What do you do?
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