Beyond surgery: Overcoming postoperative depression in cancer patients

World J Psychiatry. 2024 Jul 19;14(7):1140-1142. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v14.i7.1140.

Abstract

Depression is a common occurrence among cancer patients, and it significantly impacts their clinical outcomes and quality of life, with a high incidence during anti-tumor treatment or after surgery. The association between surgery and depression is the result of the interaction of various factors, including physiological, psychological, and social factors, all of which are intertwined and make patients susceptible to depression after surgical treatment. Postoperative depression has a significant negative impact on many aspects of cancer patients, and it requires timely identification and intervention to improve the overall outcome.

Keywords: Anti-tumor therapy; Depression; Surgery; Tumor.