The tumor is inoperable: Tell the patient or punt to the surgeon?

You were somewhat acquainted with the lady. After all you had met her several times at the nail salon. She was probably in her early 40s and she had children about the same age as yours. You talked about them. They were only a couple of grades apart in the same school. In fact, after you told her you were an anesthesiologist and sometimes your cases ran late, she offered to pick up your children and bring them to her house until you got home. So perhaps it was not surprising that she asked you about the indigestion she was getting, and the bloating feelings, and the vague pains. You suggested that she should try some antacids and some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. When that did not work, you gave her the name of a gastroenterologist friend of yours.