Abstract
We experienced a 60 year-old female case, who had suffered from the advanced gastric carcinoma. The patient had not been informed of her disease to be malignant, and her family had never wished to tell her the truth. The worse her general condition became, the more her anger was expressed to the doctor in charge or nursing staff. She had doubts on the therapeutic course which had brought her no improvement and demanded to tell the truth. Safe topics dominated between her and her family member's, and serious talks were avoided. Considering such a deadlock, the doctor in charge decided to inform her of her prognosis. As the result, her anger was decreased, which enabled her to have a good relationship with her family, the nursing staff or the doctor in charge. She was able to spend her remaining days with solid satisfaction. Furthermore, she offered to give her eyeballs to some one who needs them. Her wish was fulfilled after her death. In clinical settings of Japan, there often exists the difference of opinions between patients and their family members regarding whether or not they should tell the truth to patients. Under such situations, doctors in charge are asked to make right judgment on the wish of patient and family and to take a role of bridge between them. This intervention would enable patients to spend their remaining days more satisfactorily.
