Expressed wishes and incidence of euthanasia in advanced lung cancer patients.

This study explores expressed wishes and requests for euthanasia (i.e. administration of lethal drugs at the explicit request of the patient), and incidence of end-of-life decisions with possible life-shortening effects (ELDs) in advanced lung cancer patients in Flanders, Belgium.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis due to a multi-azole resistant Aspergillus fumigatus.

A patient with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis due to an azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus is described. Despite treatment change from voriconazole to amphotericin B as soon as the resistance data were available, the patient died. Azole resistance is an emerging problem, which significantly complicates the management of A.

Changing preferences for information and participation in the last phase of life: a longitudinal study among newly diagnosed advanced lung cancer patients.

Purpose: The objective is to explore changes over time in the information and participation preferences of newly diagnosed stage IIIb/IV non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

Methods: Patients were recruited by physicians in 13 hospitals and interviewed every 2 months until the fourth and every 4 months until the sixth interview.

Results: Sixty-seven patients were interviewed three times.

Preferred and actual involvement of advanced lung cancer patients and their families in end-of-life decision making: a multicenter study in 13 hospitals in Flanders, Belgium.

Context: Death is often preceded by medical decisions that potentially shorten life (end-of-life decisions [ELDs]), for example, the decision to withhold or withdraw treatment. Respect for patient autonomy requires physicians to involve their patients in this decision making.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the involvement of advanced lung cancer patients and their families in ELD making and compare their actual involvement with their previously stated preferences for involvement.

Preferences of patients with advanced lung cancer regarding the involvement of family and others in medical decision-making.

Objective: To explore the preferences of competent patients with advanced lung cancer regarding involvement of family and/or others in their medical decision-making, and their future preferences in case of loss of competence.

Methods: Over 1 year, physicians in 13 hospitals in Flanders, Belgium, recruited patients with initial non-small–cell lung cancer, stage IIIb or IV. The patients were interviewed with a structured questionnaire every 2 months until the fourth interview and every 4 months until the sixth interview.