Psychooncology: Significance, principles and treatment methods

Psycho-oncological care has become an indispensable part of modern cancer therapies. The physical, psychological and social stressors arising in the different phases of coping with cancer, as well as the symptoms of mental disorders that can be found in a significant part of the patients, require specific diagnostic procedures and targeted support and treatment programs. Although psycho-oncology is still a comparatively young discipline, problem and treatment-setting specific interventions have been developed and evaluated on international level within the past two decades. In addition, inter-disciplinary training and education measures have evolved for all professions in oncology. This article presents a current state of the art of psycho-oncology and outlines some of the most important diagnostic instruments and treatment methods.