Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Therapeutic Approaches for Cancer Patients

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Stress and Somatic Symptoms

  • 1122 Accesses

Abstract

To live with cancer is much more than adapting to the treatments and their side effects. In the assessment and treatment of cancer patients, the importance of psychosocial factors is emphasized. The necessity for psychiatric treatment and assessment of therapies is increased in order to improve side effects of treatment and enhance quality of life. Treatment team members need to be careful of the possibility that psychiatric problems may occur regardless of the progress of illness. In case such problems occur, psychiatric consultation should be considered. The therapeutic approaches used in cancer patients are a combination of psychotherapeutic, behavioral, and psychopharmacologic techniques. Psychotherapeutic approaches include cognitive therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and self-help treatment. Behavioral approaches, such as relaxation, biofeedback, systematic desensitization, hypnosis, and guided imagery, are helpful for pain and anxiety during procedures, nausea and vomiting, and cancer-related eating disorders. Psychopharmacologic approach is effective for anxiety, depression, delirium, pain, nausea, vomiting, and insomnia. An integrated approach including those therapeutic techniques tailored to each individual’s need is strongly suggested.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Fallowfield LJ, Hall A, Maguire GP, et al. Psychological outcomes of different treatment policies in women with early breast cancer outside a clinical trial. Br Med J. 1990;301:575–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Lesko LM, Massie MJ, Holland JC. Oncology. In: Stoudemire A, Fogel BS, editors. Principles of medical psychiatry. Orlando: Grune & Stratton; 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Holland JC, Rowland J, Lebovits A. Reactions to cancer treatment: assessment of emotional response to adjunct radiotherapy. Psychiatr Clin N Am. 1979;2:347–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Holland JC. Psychological issues in the care of the terminally ill. In: Flach F, editor. Directions in psychiatry. New York: Hatherleigh; 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Wellisch D. Psychosocial problems of cancer. In: Haskell CM, editor. Cancer treatment. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Worden JW. Cognitive therapy with cancer patients. In: Freeman A, Greenwood V, editors. Cognitive therapy: applications in psychiatric and medical settings. New York: Human Science Press; 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Peck A. Emotional reactions to having cancer. Radium Ther Nucl Med. 1972;114:591–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Plumb MM, Holland J. Comparative studies of psychological functions in patients with advanced cases of self-reported depressive symptoms. J Psychosom Med. 1979;39:264–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Kaufman E, Micha VG. A model for psychotherapy with the good-prognosis cancer patient. Psychosomatics. 1987;28:540–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Abrams RD. The patient with cancer: his changing pattern of communication. N Engl J Med. 1966;274:317–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Singer BA. Psychosocial trauma, defense strategies and treatment consideration in cancer patients and their families. Am J Fam Ther. 1983;11:15–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Koh KB, Kim KW. A comparison of psychopathology between cancer patients on radiotherapy and noncancer patients. J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc. 1990;29:662–8.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Koh KB, Kim ST. Coping strategy of cancer patients. J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc. 1988;27:140–50.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Koh KB. Stress and coping strategy in family members of cancer patients. J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc. 1988;27:693–702.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kaplan HI, Sadock BJ. Synopsis of psychiatry. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 1988. p. 100.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Moos RH, Tsu VD. The crisis of physical illness: an overview. In: Moos R, editor. Coping with physical illness. New York: Plenum; 1977.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  17. Campell PC. Suicide among cancer patients. Community Health Bull. 1966;80:207–12.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Hackett TP, Cassem NH, Wishnie H. Detection and treatment of anxiety in the coronary care unit. Am Hosp J. 1969;78:729–36.

    Google Scholar 

  19. LeShan L. Cancer mortality rates: some statistical evidence of the effect of psychological factors. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1962;63:333–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Kubler-Ross E. On death and dying. New York: Macmillan; 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Lederberg MS, Holland JC. Psychooncology. In: Kaplan HI, Sadock BJ, editors. Comprehensive textbook of psychiatry. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Daune F. Psychological aspects of breast cancer. Rev Med Brux. 1995;16:245–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Goldfarb C, Driesen J, Cole D. Psychophysiologic aspects of malignancy. Am J Psychiatry. 1967;123:1545–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Greer S, Morris T. Psychological attributes of women who develop breast cancer: a controlled study. J Psychosom Res. 1975;19:147–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Abse DW, Wilkins MM, Van de Castle RL. Personality and behavioral characteristics of lung cancer patients. J Psychosom Res. 1974;18:101–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Joffe RT, Rubinow DR, Denicoff KD, et al. Depression and carcinoma of the pancreas. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 1986;8:241–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Koh KB. A comparison of illness behavior between cancer and noncancer patients. J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc. 1991;30:739–51.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Perrin GM, Pierce IR. Psychosomatic aspects of cancer; a review. Psychosom Med. 1959;21:397–421.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Locke SE, Gorman JR. Behavior and immunity. In: Kaplan HI, Sadock BJ, editors. Comprehensive textbook of psychiatry. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Heim E, Augustiny KF, Schaffner L, et al. Coping with breast cancer over time and situation. J Psychosom Res. 1993;37:523–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Derogatis LR, Morrow GR, Fetting J. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among cancer patients. JAMA. 1983;249:751–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Buckberg JB, Penman DT, Holland JC. Depression in hospitalized cancer patients. Psychosom Med. 1984;46:199–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Fox BH, Stanek EJ, Boldy SC, et al. Suicide rates among cancer patients in Connecticut. Chron Dis. 1982;35:85–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Bolund C. Suicide and cancer: 1. Demographic and social characteristics of cancer patients who committed suicide in Sweden 1973–1976. J Psychosoc Oncol. 1985;3:17–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Greer S, Morris T, Pettingale KW. Psychological response to breast cancer: effect on outcome. Lancet. 1979;2:785–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Chen CC, David A, Thompson K, et al. Coping strategies and psychiatric morbidity in women attending breast assessment clinics. J Psychosom Res. 1996;40:265–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Janis E, Mann L. Decision-making. New York: Free Press; 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Spivack G, Platt J, Schure M. The problem-solving approach to adjustment. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Billings AG, Moos RH. The role of coping responses in attenuating the stress of life events. J Behav. 1981;4:139–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Smith LW, Patterson TL, Grant I. Avoidant coping predicts psychological disturbance in the elderly. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1990;178:525–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Cassem NH. The dying patient. In: Cassem, editor. MGH handbook of general hospital psychiatry. St. Louis: Mosby Year Book; 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Bleeker JAC. Brief psychotherapy with lung cancer patients. Psychosom Med. 1978;29:282–7.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Renneker RE. Countertransference reactions to cancer. Psychosom Med. 1957;19:409–18.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Druss RG. Psychotherapy of patients with serious intercurrent medical illness. Bull Assoc Psychoanal Med. 1984;23:163–8.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Marmor J. Short-term dynamic psychotherapy. Am J Psychiatry. 1979;136:149–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Fiore N. Fighting cancer: one patient’s perspective. N Engl J Med. 1979;300:284–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Bloom JR, Ross RD, Burnell G. The effect of social support on patient adjustment after breast surgery. Patient Couns Health Educ. 1978;1:50–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. La Barba RC. Experimental and environmental factors in cancer. Psychosom Med 1970;32:259–269.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Jerse MA, Whitman HH, Gustafson JP. Cancer in adults. In: Roback HB, editor. Helping patients and their families cope with medical problems. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Benson H. The relaxation response. New York: Morrow; 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Burish TG, Lyles JN. Effectiveness of relaxation training in reducing adverse reactions to cancer chemotherapy. J Behav Med. 1981;4:65–78.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Morrow GR, Morrell BS. Behavioral treatment for the anticipatory nausea and vomiting induced by cancer chemotherapy. N Engl J Med. 1982;306:1476–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Redd WH, Andresen GV, Minagawa Y. Hypnotic control of anticipatory emesis in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1982;50:14–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Mishra SI, Scherer RW, Snyder C, et al. Exercise interventions on health-related quality of life for people with cancer during active treatment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;8:CD008465. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008465.pub2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Pfeffenbaum G, Pasnau R, Jamison K. A comprehensive program of psychosocial care for mastectomy patients. Int J Psychiatry Med. 1977;8:65–71.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Schain WS. Sexual problems of patients with cancer. In: Devita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, editors. Cancer: principles and practices of oncology. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott; 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Fawzy FI, Fawzy NW. Group therapy in the cancer setting. J Psychosom Res. 1998;45:191–200.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Fawzy FI, Fawzy NW. Psychoeducational interventions. In: Holland JC, editor. Textbook of psychooncology. London: Oxford University Press; 1998. p. 676–93.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Spiegel D, Stein SL, Earhart TZ, et al. Group psychotherapy and the terminally ill. In: Chochinov H, Breitbart W, editors. The handbook of psychiatry in palliative medicine. New York: Oxford Univ. Press; 2000. p. 241–51.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Breitbart W. Spirituality and meaning in supportive care: spirituality and meaning-centered group psychotherapy interventions in advanced cancer. Support Care Cancer. 2002;10:272–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Kissane D, Block S, Miach P, et al. Cognitive existential group therapy for patients with primary breast cancer – techniques and themes. Psychooncology. 1997;6:25–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Spiegel D, Spira J. Supportive-expressive group psychotherapy: a treatment manual of psychosocial intervention for women with recurrent breast cancer. Stanford: Psychosocial Treatment Lab, Stanford Univ. School of Medicine; 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Spiegel D, Bloom JR, Yalom ID. Group support for patients with metastatic cancer: a randomized prospective outcome study. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1981;38:527–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Carlson LE, Ursuliak Z, Goodey E, et al. The effects of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction program on mood and symptoms of stress in cancer outpatients: 6-month follow-up. Support Care Cancer. 2001;9:112–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Carlson LE, Speca M, Patel KD, et al. Mindfulness-based stress reduction in relation to quality of life, mood, symptoms of stress, and immune parameters in breast and prostate cancer outpatients. Psychosom Med. 2003;65:571–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Galway K, Black A, Cantwell M, et al. Psychosocial interventions to improve quality of life and emotional wellbeing for recently diagnosed cancer patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;11:CD007064. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007064.pub2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Williams JW, Barrett J, Oxman T, et al. Treatment of dysthymia and minor depression in primary care: a randomized controlled trial in older adults. JAMA. 2000;284:1519–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Fann JR, Thomas-rich AM, Katon WJ, et al. Major depression after breast cancer: a review of epidemiology and treatment. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2008;30:112–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Maguire P, Hopwood P, Tarrier N, et al. Treatment of depression in cancer patients. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl. 1985;320:81–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Cunningham LA, Borison RL, Carman JS. A comparison of venlafaxine, trazodone and placebo in major depression. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1994;14:99–106.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Koh KB. Stress and psychosomatic medicine. Seoul: Ilchokak; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  72. Cunningham LA. Depression in the medically ill: choosing an antidepressant. J Clin Psychiatry. 1994;55(Suppl AJ):90–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Morrow GR, Hickok JT, Roscoe JA, et al. Differential effects of paroxetine on fatigue and depression: a randomized, double-blind trail from the University of Rochester Cancer Center Community Clinical Oncology Program. J Clin Oncol. 2003;21:4635–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Thompson DS. Mirtazapine for the treatment of depression and nausea in breast and gynecological oncology. Psychosomatics. 2000;41:356–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Foley K. Pharmacologic management of pain. In: Massie MJ, Lesko LM, editors. Current concepts in psycho-oncology. New York: Gold Publishers; 1984.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Kyung Bong Koh

Authors
  1. Kyung Bong Koh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Koh, K.B. (2018). Therapeutic Approaches for Cancer Patients. In: Stress and Somatic Symptoms. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02783-4_24

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation