Depression and degree of acceptance of adjuvant cytotoxic drugs

Lancet. 2000 Oct 14;356(9238):1326-7. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)02821-X.

Abstract

An interaction between psychological attitude and outcome in early-stage breast cancer has been postulated, with a possible explanation related to the presumed tendency of depressed patients to be less proactive in obtaining health care. We report on the degree of acceptance of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer who have concomitant depression. Only 20 (51.3%) of the study group accepted and received the proposed chemotherapy compared with 75 (92.2%) of the control group (p<0.0001). Treatment of depression might be essential for tailoring adjuvant treatments with chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Breast Neoplasms / complications*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant*
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Depression / complications*
  • Depression / therapy
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Fluorouracil
  • Methotrexate

Supplementary concepts

  • CMF regimen