Consensus Statement on Depression, Anxiety, and Oncology

Ctreatment with debilitating chemotherapy regimens, immune response modifiers, and chronic pain associated with their physical illness. Quite apart from the normal emotional impact of the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness, an estimated 20% to 25% of cancer patients meet diagnostic criteria for major depression or anxiety, treatable psychiatric conditions that have serious detrimental effects on their quality of life. 1 At our consensus meeting on depressive and anxiety disorders in general medicine, the International Consensus Group on Depression and Anxiety reviewed depression, anxiety, and oncology from the perspectives of both the oncologist and the psychiatrist. This article sets forth our views on the detection and diagnosis of depression and anxiety in the oncology patient, examines management issues, and identifies further areas for research.