Effect of Treating Depressive Disorders on Mortality of Cancer Patients

Depression can have debilitating effects on patients with a chronic morbid disease, in particular, cancer. It has been found that patients with a depressive disorder have a poorer prognosis and increased mortality. There is a debate as to whether the treatment of the depressive disorder is beneficial to these patients. Studies demonstrate varying results with pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy. All cancer patients should be periodically assessed for depressive disorder and the symptoms not dismissed as part of their cancer presentation due to the increased mortality.