The principles of palliative radiotherapy: a radiation oncologist's perspective.

The practice of palliative radiotherapy is founded on the same ethical principles as any other sphere of medicine. The principles of beneficence and non-maleficence define the goals of palliative therapy. The principle of rationality demands that treatment decisions should be guided by scientific knowledge. The principles of veracity, loyalty, and respect for autonomy define the conditions of the doctor-patient relationship. The principle of distributive justice reminds us that, in conditions of scarcity, resources used to treat one patient will not be available to treat others. Ten rules for the practice of palliative radiotherapy were derived from these principles.