Since the death of his wife 7 months ago he has lost 15 pounds of weight. He does not eat or sleep well and has stopped playing golf with his friends - something he had loved doing since his retirement. He spends most of his time repeatedly cleaning out the attic and rearranging the contents of the trunks there. He denies smoking or alcohol.
Review of systems is otherwise negative.
Past medical history is significant for a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia for which he takes atenolol, and seizures, of which the last episode was 3 years ago. Physical examination reveals a somewhat emaciated male, but is otherwise unremarkable. After your review of this case, please check off whether the following statements are true or false . You would reassure the daughter that this is a normal grief reaction. The weight loss in an elderly male should prompt a thorough workup for a malignancy.