[Prevalence and etiology of mental problems in tumor patients]

Data obtained from a questionnaire completed by 177 cancer patients were analyzed for prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders and aspects of coping behavior. We found a high correlation between frequency of depressive symptoms and the period time after which cancer was diagnosed. According to data reported by other authors, prevalence of depression ranged between 21% and 32%. Anxiety disorders were found in about 40% of all cancer patients. Chemotherapy seems to be very stressing: During the course of therapy, we found a duplication of depressive symptoms, severe depression increases from 0% to 17%. Personality-traits possibly predict anticipated nausea and vomiting (ANV). Patients with ANV show higher values in depression, anxiety, fatalism, but lower ones in internal control measured before chemotherapy.