When a patient’s survival is dwarfed by the logistics of treatment, oncologists need to talk about ‘time toxicity’

Time toxicity may be less pertinent when treatments offer a significant survival benefit or align with the patient’s goals. No choice is inherently wrong provided it is made with sufficient information.

“Left to ponder the opportunity cost for everyone involved, I imagine a day when patients will be spared the lament of time toxicity because oncologists like me will have embraced it as a plank of our counsel. It won’t be the easiest thing to talk about but by doing so, we will be serving the best interest of our patients.”