The professionals involved in the care of patients suffering from cancer may be forced to decide on a curative and/or palliative course of action. Three conditions that are specific to the transition towards care were analyzed in connection with the concept of stress: the distinctive feature of the trajectory of the cancer, the uncertainty generated by the vagueness of the transition zone, and the absence of decision sharing within the multidisciplinary team. These particular conditions, which are associated to factors pertaining to the personality of the caregivers and/or the occupational specificities of the multidisciplinary team, can cause stress and affect the decision making. Two measures are suggested to reduce the effects of stress and contribute to preventing burnout.