Somatization disorder and cancer: a case history and review.
Cancer pain generally has a physical cause exacerbated to varying degrees by psychological, social, and spiritual factors. This article describes the case history of a cancer patient with severe pain for which no physical cause could be found, who was subsequently found to have a history of somatization disorder. There follows a review of the literature, with specific reference to the difficulties of managing somatization in the context of cancer.
Thomas
Tabitha
T
Arthur Rank Hospice, Cambridge, UK. tsthomas@doctors.org.uk
Booth
Sara
S
Earl
Helena
H
Lennox
Graham
G
D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D012803:Sick Role; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology