The purpose of this study is to undertake a non-systematic revision of the bibliography dedicated to the perception of the experiences of 'the coming death and dying' in the perspective of the oncologycal patient, in accordance with the different phases of lifespan. The results show that, in children, the perception of death is modified gradually as the thought and the language develops. In adults, the conception of death depends on their physical and psychological experience. Finally, in elderly people the death is better accepted and its perception depends on the satisfaction previously gained during the lifespan. Bearing that in mind, specialized bibliography emphasizes that the perception of the coming death is still an eminently individual experience, therefore, the subjectivity of each oncologycal patient should be considered. Concluding, this study intends to emphasize the transformations in the perception of the coming death, during the illness development, coping with the presence of death as an integrating part of life.
Human development; cancer; coming death