title: Impact of stress on cancer metastasis.
abstract: The influence of psychosocial factors on the development and progression of cancer has been a longstanding hypothesis since ancient times. In fact, epidemiological and clinical studies over the past 30 years have provided strong evidence for links between chronic stress, depression and social isolation and cancer progression. By contrast, there is only limited evidence for the role of these behavioral factors in cancer initiation. Recent cellular and molecular studies have identified specific signaling pathways that impact cancer growth and metastasis. This article provides an overview of the relationship between psychosocial factors, specifically chronic stress, and cancer progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecologic Oncology, UTMD Anderson Cancer Center, 1155 Herman Pressler, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Myrthala
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moreno-Smith
authors.forename: Susan K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lutgendorf
authors.forename: Anil K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Sood
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000503:physiopathology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000503:physiopathology; D012934:Social Isolation; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*