Psychological outcomes in patients with rare cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Patients with rare cancers face higher risks of depression and anxiety. This review highlights the urgent need for early psychological support and interventions for this vulnerable population.
Area Of Science
- Oncology
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background
- Rare cancers, defined by low incidence (<6 per 100,000 annually), present unique challenges due to limited clinical evidence.
- Patients with rare cancers often experience worse survival rates and intensified psychological distress compared to those with common cancers.
- Given that rare cancers constitute up to 25% of all cancer diagnoses, understanding their psychological impact is crucial.
Purpose Of The Study
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the psychological outcomes, including depression, anxiety, suicide, and PTSD, in patients with rare cancers.
- To compare the prevalence and incidence of these psychological outcomes in rare cancer patients versus healthy controls and common cancer patients.
Main Methods
- A PRISMA-adherent systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published from 2000 to January 2024, searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and PsycINFO.
- Inclusion of 32 studies encompassing 57,470 patients with rare cancers.
- Random effects meta-analyses and meta-regression were employed for data synthesis and risk factor identification.
Main Results
- Patients with rare cancers showed significantly increased risks of depression (RR=2.61) and anxiety (RR=2.66) compared to healthy controls.
- High prevalence rates were observed for depression (17%), anxiety (20%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (18%), alongside a notable suicide incidence (315 per 100,000 person-years).
- Suicide incidence and PTSD prevalence were significantly higher in rare cancer patients compared to those with common cancers; advanced disease, chemotherapy, and lower socioeconomic status were identified as risk factors.
Conclusions
- Rare cancer patients exhibit a heightened risk for adverse psychological outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
- The findings underscore the critical need for proactive psychological screening and intervention strategies tailored for individuals diagnosed with rare cancers.
- Further research is imperative to develop and evaluate effective interventions to mitigate psychological distress in this population.
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