[Interaction between breast cancer, psychosocial stress and the immune response]

Awareness of the interactive relation between psychosocial stressors, neuroendocrine and immunological processes, and tumour progression in patients with breast cancer appears to be important for clinicians. However, it is not established yet how the available knowledge can be applied therapeutically. Hormonal factors play a part in the carcinogenesis of breast cancer. Growth of the breast tumour is influenced by endocrine hormones. Antioestrogen therapy is effective in the treatment of breast cancer. Several components of the immune system are related to the course of disease in breast cancer patients. Psychosocial stressors influence neuroendocrine (corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), cortisol, oestrogen) and immunological functions. Psychosocial stressors may be linked to recurrence or survival. Certain coping mechanisms (even those of a negative nature) and the social network of the patient may have prognostic values. Since recurrence of the disease is still possible many years after curative surgery, multifactorial effects on the course of disease are likely.