Delirium, depression, and anxiety in the treatment of cancer pain

Neuropsychiatric disturbances are common in cancer patients. These occur in patients with and without pain, but at a much higher rate in those with pain. The most frequent pathologies are delirium, depression disorders, and anxiety disorders. Poorly treated pain can precipitate or exacerbate these disorders. It is difficult or impossible to obtain satisfactory pain relief in cancer patients with comorbid psychopathology, and these disorders significantly lower the quality of life in of themselves. Thus, it is important to recognize the presence of these disorders as part of the assessment of pain, and treat both conditions simultaneously. This paper outlines the salient features of the most common forms of psychopathology in cancer patients and their treatment.