Abstract
A diagnosis of childhood cancer is an unexpected event that can interrupt a child’s developmental trajectory. Palliative symptom management can improve quality of life as well as psychological, functional, and medical outcomes for a child who is coping with cancer. Within a larger framework of behavioral and family-based interventions, this chapter focuses on palliative psychopharmacological treatment recommendations for children with cancer. Sertraline, citalopram, or escitalopram should be considered first line for anxiety, PTSD, or depression. Risperidone or quetiapine can be an effective second-line adjunct for children with severe anxiety or trauma symptoms. Aggressive pain management with opiates can prevent iatrogenic trauma symptoms. Sleep problems may respond to melatonin, diphenhydramine, or trazodone. A low dose of quetiapine may treat insomnia due to delirium or severe anxiety. Risperidone is recommended for hypoactive/mixed delirium and haloperidol for hyperactive delirium.
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Forgey, M., Bursch, B. (2014). Psychopharmacology in Palliative Care and Oncology: Childhood and Adolescence. In: Grassi, L., Riba, M. (eds) Psychopharmacology in Oncology and Palliative Care. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-40134-3_18
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