Management of the dying patient with head and neck cancer

The management of a patient with head and neck cancer and the psychological effect on the patient and his or her family is a subject frequently avoided in scientific assemblies. Yet, it is a fact that many physicians silently look for better understanding in themselves to be better able to understand the possible responses in patients and their respective families so that confrontations between all parties may be more comfortable for all concerned. I have tried to verbalize in this presentation such processes that affect the patient, his family and the physician himself so that we, as physicians, may better manage those unpleasant situations associated with the care of a patient with incurable head and neck cancer.