Psychiatric and psychosocial implications in cancer care: the agenda of psycho-oncology

Abstract

Because of the increasing global cancer burden and the WHO epidemiological estimation in terms of number of new cases, deaths and long-survivors worldwide, an interdisciplinary approach, including psychiatric and psychoncology care is mandatory in oncology. About 50% of cancer patients have in fact been shown to have psychiatric disorders, including clinically significant emotional distress and/or unrecognised or untreated psychosocial conditions as a consequence of cancer at some point during the cancer trajectory. These problems are associated with the patient's reduction of quality of life, impairment in social relationships, longer rehabilitation time, poor adherence to treatment and abnormal illness behaviour. Because of these reasons, the internationally recognised IPOS Standards of Quality Cancer Care underline that psychosocial cancer care should be recognised as a universal human right; that quality cancer care must integrate the psychosocial domain into routine care and that distress should be measured as the sixth vital sign after temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate and pain. In spite of social inequalities still existing between countries in the organisation and implementation of psychosocial oncology, recommendations and guidelines are available regarding screening, assessment and intervention to psychiatric and psychosocial disorders across the trajectory of cancer. The clinical and political agenda of psychoncology as a mandatory component of a whole comprehensive person-centred approach to cancer should therefore be acknowledged in psychiatry.

Treatment strategies for gastric cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…In addition, malignant tumors result in psychological pressure to patients, and the mental health outlook is not positive. Research results show that 50% of patients with malignant tumors have varying degrees of anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems[ 7 ]. The nutritional status, immune status, and the mental health of patients with gastric cancer during the pandemic are worthy of attention.…”

Cancer and Relationship Dissolution: Perspective of Partners of Cancer Patients

“…Cancer and its therapy can present challenges and burdens that can last over time, not only for patients but also for their intimate partners and the relationship (Kayser and Scott, 2008;Aizer et al, 2013). Around 50% of cancer patients show high levels of distress (Mehnert et al, 2018), including clinically significant emotional distress and/or unrecognized or untreated psychosocial conditions as a result of cancer (Grassi, 2020). For the majority of patients, partners are the primary source of support (Manne and Badr, 2008;Forsythe et al, 2014).…”

Clinical Analysis of Risk Factors of Postoperative Psychiatric Disorders in Patients With Adult Craniopharyngioma

“…Psychiatric disorders are associated with the patient's reduction of quality of life, impairment in social relationships, longer rehabilitation time, poor adherence to treatment, and abnormal illness behavior ( 14 ). However, the current research is mainly focused on pediatric patients, and there is almost no research on psychiatric disorders in adult patients with craniopharyngiomas through the endoscopic endonasal approach.…”