Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology
03:59

Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology

Published on: May 22, 2026

Depression in paediatric cancer: an overview

Margaret Dejong1, Eric Fombonne

  • 1SW Thames and St. Georges NHS Mental Health Trust, UK. margaret.dejong@rmh.nhs.uk

Psycho-Oncology
|December 16, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Research on depression in children with cancer is developing, facing challenges in identifying and measuring depression in medically ill youth. This review examines prevalence, diagnostic issues, and future research directions for pediatric cancer depression.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Psychological Medicine

Background:

  • Depression in pediatric cancer patients is under-researched.
  • Medically ill children present unique challenges for depression recognition and measurement.
  • The interplay between physical symptoms and psychological distress complicates diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the challenges in recognizing and measuring depression in pediatric cancer patients.
  • To review epidemiological findings on depression prevalence in this population.
  • To explore hypotheses explaining observed prevalence rates and identify future research needs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on depression in pediatric cancer.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data and methodological limitations.
  • Discussion of the complex interaction between physical and psychological variables.

Main Results:

  • Research in this area is nascent, highlighting significant diagnostic difficulties.
  • Apparent low prevalence rates may be influenced by methodological weaknesses in studies.
  • The interaction between physical illness and psychological state complicates accurate assessment.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate assessment of depression in pediatric cancer requires addressing methodological issues.
  • Further research is needed to understand the true prevalence and effective measurement of depression in this population.
  • Future studies should focus on the unique biopsychosocial factors influencing depression in children with cancer.

Related Concept Videos

Depression: Overview01:18

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Cancer Survival Analysis01:21

Cancer Survival Analysis

Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Treatment Resistent Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistent Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...