title: Pharmacological management of depression in patients with cancer: practical considerations.
abstract: This article provides an overview of the prevalence, pathogenesis and diagnosis of, and treatment strategies for, depression in cancer patients. Untreated depression can increase the burden of oncology symptoms and worsen the cancer prognosis through the relationship between mood and immunity. The issues to consider when treating a patient with cancer who has depression include when to introduce pharmacotherapy, the criteria for choosing an antidepressant, and the necessary caution regarding side effects and drug interactions. The choice of an antidepressant is a complex decision that has to balance previous pharmacological experiences, different clusters of target symptoms, pharmacological interactions, and objective and subjective risks of side effects, with the aim of tailoring a strategy for each patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Clinical and Oncological Psychology Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza, University of Turin, Corso Bramante 88/90, 10126, Turin, Italy. riccardo.torta@unito.it
authors.forename: Riccardo G V
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Torta
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ieraci
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents