Metastatic breast cancer in patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

Abstract. Breast cancer is a major health problem worldwide. The median survival duration for patients with metastatic breast cancer is two to three years. Approximately 1% of populations worldwide have schizophrenia. The manner in which schizophrenic patients fare when diagnosed with metastatic breast carcinoma (MBC) was evaluated. We queried the National Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) datasets using computer codes for a pre-existing diagnosis of schizophrenia and a later diagnosis of breast carcinoma. Chart-based data concerning the identified subjects were then requested. Previously determined inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select evaluable patients from the medical records, prior to extracting demographic details and data concerning the treatment course in each subject. Ten patients had distant metastases at initial diagnosis, while seven developed MBC following prior curative-intent treatment. Two patients refused therapy. Ten did not comply with recommended management. Five harmed or threatened physicians, other caregivers or themselves. Schizophrenic patients with MBC often fail to understand the nature of their illnesses. Often they do not accept palliative treatment, while a number of them do not comply with therapy, once initiated. They often exhibit behaviors that are detrimental to themselves or others. Formal psychiatric consultation is therefore necessary in patients. Several detrimental behaviors may be predicted reliably by history alone.

Clinical analysis of severe psychiatric disorders in patients with testicular cancer: A single‐center experience

“…Furthermore, Meyer et al reported that it is difficult for those with psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia, to accomplish chemotherapy within a protocol, because they often fail to understand the nature of their illnesses. 5 As a result, it is particularly challenging to treat patients with testicular cancer who have psychiatric disorders. However, little is known about the impact of severe psychiatric disorders on the clinical outcome of patients with testicular cancer.…”

Cuidados paliativos e esquizofrenia: uma reflexão sobre a dificuldade do cuidado paliativo em doentes com esquizofrenia

“…Os psiquiatras fornecem apoio psicológico, tranquilidade, educação, encaminhamentos para apoio à saúde mental da comunidade e conhecimento especializado sobre usos de medicamentos antipsicóticos (Block, 2006) (Meyer, et al, 2013).…”