International Journal of Nursing

The Psychopharmacological Management of Depression in Patients with Cancer
Polyxeni Mangoulia

Abstract
Introduction: The patient with a physical illness is affected emotionally and spiritually. The patient with an emotional illness is affected physically and spiritually. It is therefore important to view the patient in a holistic sense. Cancer and depression are responsible for enormous human suffering on a global scale. When cancer and depression are comorbid, symptom burden and mortality are each magnified, as one disease complicates the management of the other. Aim: This paper aimed to explore and summarize recent relevant data concerning the rates of depression and other psychiatric disorders in cancer patients and the use of antidepressants and other psychotropic drugs.Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of science and SCOPUS databases were searched for peer-reviewed publicationsondepression in cancer patients. Results: Depressive spectrum disorders, including major depression, persistent depression, minor and sub-syndromal depression, and other forms of depressive conditions, such as demoralization, are among the most common psychiatric consequences of cancer patients, affecting up to 60% of patients. The availability of new drugs, with less side-effects and safer pharmacological profiles, has been a major advance in clinical psychooncology. Conclusions: It is mandatory that health care professionals working in oncology receive training in the diagnosis and management of depression.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijn.v7n2a2