Korean J Psychopharmacol.
2009 Mar;20(2):63-77.
Use of Antidepressants in Patients with Breast Cancer
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea. jsyoon@chonnam.ac.kr
- 2Clinical Trial Center and Depression Clinical Research Center, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
- 3Mental Health Clinic, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Korea.
- 4Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
- 5Breast and Endocrine Tumor Clinic, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Korea.
Abstract
- Depression is common among patients with breast cancer and has been found to influence quality of life and disease course as well as to increase fatigue, pain, and insomnia. Therefore, it is very important to treat depression among breast cancer patients with antidepressants in order to improve clinical outcomes. However, inconsistent results about the consequences of antidepressant use in patients with breast cancer have been reported. This article reviews and discusses the following issues : epidemiologic data about depression in patients with breast cancer; debates about the association between antidepressant use and breast cancer risk ; pharmacological interactions of antidepressants and medications for breast cancer, including tamoxifen and opioids ; data from clinical trials addressing the effect of antidepressants on depressive symptoms in patients with breast cancer; and data from clinical trials addressing the effect of antidepressants on cancer-related symptoms, including hot flashes, post-mastectomy pain syndrome, nausea, pruritus, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction. This review article contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the use of antidepressants in patients with breast cancer.
Keyword
- Full Text Links
-
- Actions
-
Cited
- CITED
-
- Close
- Share
-
- Similar articles
-
- The Highligts of 28th Annual Meeting of San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
- Surgery of Breast Cancer during the Last 5 Years: More Sophisticated and Specialized?
- Mono- and Combination Chemotherapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer: An Increamental Step Forward
- Aromtase Inhibitors in Breast Cancer
- Early Screening of Breast Cancer in Korea
