Abstract
An important group of patients with cancer show neuropsychiatric manifestations. From Psychiatry, this represents duties like: an early diagnostic, an approach which clearly sets the symptoms´ origin, the prevention of complications, the attention of the nutritional state and the need of psychoeducation. This work shows the Psychiatry contribution to the approach of cancer patients. To achieve this goal, we made a review of articles published between 2000 and 2015, in Pubmed and Medline databases.The gathered information demonstrates that cancer and psyche influence and modify each other. The results were organized in three sections: 1. Psychiatric manifestations of cancer, 2. Environmental factors that influence tumor growth, and 3. Psychiatric management of the oncologic patient.
As a conclusion, even there is a high correlation between cancer diagnosis and depression/anxiety, not every person with cancer will necessarily suffer depression, anxiety or adaptation disorders. Furthermore, not every patient with cancer will need antidepressant medication (even those with depressive symptoms). In relation with psychological intervention, it is important to tell the patients about the medical procedures, as well as about their physical and emotional consequences.