title: Evidence-based treatment of anxiety in patients with cancer.
abstract: Anxiety is a dynamic response to perceived threat that is common among patients with cancer and fluctuates at critical points in the disease trajectory. A substantial minority of patients may experience clinically significant anxiety resulting from a range of potential etiologic factors. This review summarizes evidence-based recommendations for treatment of anxiety in oncology settings. Recommendations are based on the nature and time course of anxiety and the results of meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and individual trials in cancer populations. The evidence-based literature supports the use of psychosocial and psychopharmacologic treatments to prevent or alleviate anxiety symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  are tempered by study heterogeneity and methodologic limitations and a lack of trials that included patients with clinically significant anxiety. In oncology settings, accessibility and acceptability of evidence-based treatments vary, and patients may seek a variety of resources to manage cancer concerns. Treatment planning should incorporate contributing factors to anxiety and patient preferences for psychiatric care.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA. ltraeger@partners.org
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Traeger
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Greer
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Robles
authors.forename: Jennifer S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Temel
authors.forename: William F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Pirl
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D015995:Prevalence