Double effect, double bind or double speak?

Bioethical considerations on models for end-of-life care

The article discusses contemporary societies' three institutionalized fields in end-of-life care and their respective models of death: euthanasia/assisted suicide; medical futility; and kalothanasia, the basis for the modern hospice movement. The article also analyzes how these models impact patients' lives and the conceptual weakness of some traditionally used banners such as that of human dignity. It also comments on orthothanasia, a widely used concept in the Brazilian bioethical literature, as well as rational suicide in the elderly. Questions are posed for the bioethical debate on the need to rethink some postulates, especially pertaining to euthanasia. Finally, the article presents and analyzes the ethical and philosophical basis for kalothanasia and its implications for the organization of good practices in end-of-life care.

Cuidados paliativos: interfaces, conflitos e necessidades

O tipo de assistência prestado para pacientes com doenças avançadas e terminais tem sido objeto de intenso debate na literatura especializada. Este artigo descreve e analisa, a partir de revisão da literatura, as intervenções possíveis no fim da vida, com especial ênfase aos cuidados paliativos, um modelo em expansão no mundo. Analisa, a partir de uma perspectiva bioética, alguns dos aspectos moralmente relevantes que envolvem estas práticas, que tendem a ser conflituosas entre si, e, especificamente, dentro do campo dos cuidados paliativos, destaca certas dificuldades e desafios em torno da centralidade da autonomia, considerada um dos pilares para boas práticas de cuidados no fim da vida.

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) is a rare neurological consequence of a variety of cancers, most commonly originating from lung, breast and testis. The aetiology is believed to be immune-mediated, caused by tumour-induced autoimmunity launching an attack against one's own central nervous system. The patient may present with amnesia, depression, anxiety, seizures and/or personality changes. The onset of these symptoms may precede the diagnosis of malignancy by a period of up to 2 years. The malignancy may be occult and unless the syndrome is recognised, it may fail to be detected. The diagnosis of PLE is suggested by the clinical picture, MRI evidence of mesial temporal lobe abnormality and CSF abnormalities such as the presence of oligoclonal bands. It may be further supported by the presence of paraneoplastic antibodies in the serum. Immunosuppression has been tried in some cases but memory impairment is often irreversible. There are several case reports in the literature of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis but few emphasise the resulting impact that this may have on the patient's quality of life and their carers. The accompanying amnesia is often far more distressing to the carers, who are aware of the limitations of treatment of the underlying malignancy. Hospices offer the appropriate palliative environment for such patients as well as physical and psychological respite to the carers.