Treatment of Depression in Individuals With Cancer: Implications of Antidepressant Pharmacotherapy.

Depression is frequently underdiagnosed and inadequately treated in individuals with cancer. A number of factors render cancer patients more vulnerable to depression. These include variables such as metabolic and endocrine alteration, chemotherapeutic and immune modifiers used to treat the cancer, steroids, and uncontrolled pain. Surprisingly, few controlled studies have examined the efficacy of antidepressant medications in depressed cancer patients. This report summarizes the available antidepressant medication treatment trials, the results of which suggest that antidepressant therapy can alleviate depression and improve quality of life in depressed individuals with cancer. Theoretical as well as practical issues guiding current research and pharmacotherapeutic treatment decisions are also discussed.