ETHICAL ISSUES IN NEUROONCOLOGY

Ethical issues and dilemmas are common in patients with brain tumors a nd other neuro-oncologic diseases. Basic knowledge of ethical principl es and theory is essential for the day-to-day care of these patients, which often involves life and death decisions. The most important ethi cal principles include respect for autonomy, justice, beneficience, an d nonmaleficence. The application of these principles is important for resolving ethical questions related to neuro-oncology patients such a s discussing diagnosis and prognosis, whether or not to initiate thera py (including clinical trials), quality of life during and after treat ment, when it is appropriate to stop treatment, if hospice care should be implemented, and pain control. Frequent consideration of these bas ic ethical principles will assist physicians during the decision-makin g process and improve their ability to make sound choices.