Elderly cancer patients’ psychopathology: A systematic review: Aging and mental health

• Psychiatric disorders are common in geriatric patients with cancer.
• The most common disorder in elderly cancer patients is depression.
• Anxiety seemed to be less frequent in late life but still remains noticeable.
• Elderly cancer patients may have both dementia and delirium.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy might be the most effective in geriatric population.

This review of the literature on elderly cancer patients and their psychiatric disorders was undertaken to determine the extent of the problem. It consists of articles with elderly cancer patients. Keyword terms included “cancer”, “elderly”, “aging”, “geriatric”, “psychiatric disorders”, “psychiatric symptoms”, “psychological problems”, “aged >60 years”, “sucidal ideation, geriatric, cancer”, “suicide geriatric cancer”. We conducted searches on the following databases: PubMed; PsychINFO (1980–2013); finally, 102 publications were suitable for the current review. Depression in elderly cancer patients is the most common disorder in elderly cancer patients associated with disability, morbidity and mortality. Anxiety disorders may be less frequent in geriatric patients; however, it seemed to be a major problem in late life. Psychiatric disorders are common in geriatric patients with cancer especially at advanced stages of the disease. In addition, health care professionals can help provide treatment and emotional support. Future research should aim to provide data about the real prevalence and severity of psychiatric disorders in elderly patients with cancer, for the improvement of patients’ quality of life and their caregivers.