Case Reports and Reviews: Open Access

Brain Cancer and the Sense of Self: A Case Study on the Wish to Die

Grace Sullivan and Athena Stefanatou

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.70620/CRROA/v5i2/2024/144

Abstract

In this case report the case of Carola is presented. She has been diagnosed with brain cancer after a malignant tumor was detected in brain scans. Carola has opted out of any form of treatment for the cancer and has entered palliative care. Ambivalence toward death with an apparent lack of insight in the context of untreated brain cancer might be indicative of an altered sense of self correlating to brain alterations. Research and theorizing on how best to define “sense of self” in the context of neuroscience has led to the construct of the embodied sense of self.

Keywords: Embodied sense of self; Counseling; ESSS; Brain cancer; Brain tumor; Brain lateralization.