Characteristics of sudden unexpected cancer deaths investigated by medical examiners in Tokyo, Japan (2009).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Annually, about 400 cases of sudden unexpected death are attributed to cancer in Tokyo, Japan. These individuals may have been undiagnosed, or their medical conditions may not have been carefully evaluated before death. We examined medical consultations, cancer diagnoses, and economic status of all cancer deaths investigated by medical examiners in 2009.

Methods

Among cases handled by the Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office in 2009 (N = 12 493), records for all cases of cancer death (n = 400) were reviewed to determine the extent of medical care provided, diagnosis before death, and economic status of the decedent.

Results

Most of the decedents (n = 232; 58%) had received a diagnosis of terminal/advanced cancer during a medical consultation. Most did not receiv

SUBMITTER: Suzuki H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3956693 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature