摘要：This article is a discussion based on two paradigmatic cases in regard to what is imaginary and symbolic to cancer patients. The research was carried our in a public hospital in the city of Curitiba and was meant to analyze forms of sociability among patients during long period of internment. The choice upon these two distinct cases lies on the fact that the patients' discourses clearly illustrate the role of the imaginary and the difficulties they have for symbolizing the illness and the death. While one of the patients is oppressed by the imaginary, the other is able to use can easily symbolize the disease and its effects.
关键词：Imaginary;Symbolic;Cancer patients.;Imaginário;Simbólico;Pacientes com câncer.
