Depression and suicide in patients with cancer.
Depression is a prevalent psychiatric syndrome in the cancer population. We review the spectrum of conditions in which depressive features are present, from normal responses to crises in cancer to depression secondary to organic causes. The different modalities of treatment, including pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic and social interventions, are described. Specific guidelines for the management of the suicidal cancer patient are given and physician-assisted death is discussed.
Psychiatry Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021.
M J
MJ
Massie
P
P
Gagnon
J C
JC
Holland
D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*