Depression among Cancer Patients: Pathogenesis and Treatment

Abstract

Etiology, Pathogenesis, Evaluation and Management of Depression in Cancer Patients: Depression is very common among cancer patients as is a common psychiatric complication of cancer treatment and thus an important risk factor for suicide. Diagnosis with any type of cancer is a traumatic experience and is responsible for high mental stress. When compared to the general population, cancer patients suffer thrice from depression. Depression leads to poor quality of life. The somatic changes of depression may be dismissed mostly by clinicians as side effects of cancer treatment. Patients having a history of depressive illness tend to have recurrence when diagnosed with cancer. Diagnosing depression is a challenging task in cancer patients as the symptoms of depression may mimic symptoms that are caused by cancer or its treatment methods. Treating depression among cancer patients should be of utmost priority as an early resolution of depression in cancer patients significantly prolongs median survival time. A combination of psychosocial and pharmacological interventions can be used to treat depression in cancer symptom control, maintaining supportive relations and involving friends & family are the first steps in managing a suicidal patient. Early management of depressive symptoms improves the quality of life among cancer patients.