A forgotten diagnosis: simple schizophrenia in a patient with breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
Simple schizophrenia (SS) is a disorder unfamiliar to many psychiatrists, and it often goes unrecognized by providers as an underlying psychiatric disorder in general-medical settings.


OBJECTIVE
The authors seek to increase recognition, as demonstrated in the case presented.


METHODS
The authors report on a breast mass in a homeless 40-year-old woman who was lost to treatment for 2 years and then reappeared in the hospital at stage IV.


RESULTS
Palliative treatment was begun; however, the patient summarily left the hospital and was again lost to follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
SS can have profound consequences for the patient, both in terms of self-care and medical treatment. Improved recognition of SS is important for both general-medical and mental health providers in order to achieve appropriate provision of clinical care and better medical outcomes.
Moini
Babak
B
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Box 980268, Richmond, VA 23298-0268, USA.
Levenson
James L
JL
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*