IS A PALLIATIVE PATIENT ALWAYS A PALLIATIVE PATIENT - 2 CASE-STUDIES

Review of the literature suggests that misdiagnosis of terminal illnes s is infrequent. In the first 6 months of the recently established Edm onton Regional Palliative Care Program, two of 330 referrals proved to be in the category of erroneous diagnosis of terminal disease. These two cases are reported along with discussion of aspects of the time-ho nored usefulness of careful history and physical examination. This exp erience highlights the importance of assessment, investigation, and ag gressive therapy, even in ''terminal'' patients, including those in th e geriatric population. (C) U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee, 1997.