Abstract
In this study, 22 informed oral cancer patients who were treated between 1985 and 1996 at First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kyushu Dental College Hospital were analyzed by questionnaire about informing cancer. The results are summarized as follows:
(1) Fifteen patients (68.2 %) wanted to know their true diagnosis. On the other hand, 3 patients (13.6 %) did not want to know, but two of the three patients answered that the telling the true diagnosis was good.
(2) All patients hoped to know the true diagnosis prior to surgery, and 11 patients (50 %) hoped to know that at the time of revealing the pathological diagnosis. Twenty patients (90.9 %) hoped to be told the true diagnosis by the doctor.
(3) Though informing cancer induces fear, it was shown by the questionnaire that informing cancer was effective for cancer treatment.
(4) Eleven patients (50 %) answered that they would inform their families of the diagnosis of cancer.
It was suggested that telling the true diagnosis of oral cancer to patients is good.
