[Posttraumatic stress disorder in cancer patients]

Abstract

Background: Patients' response to experiencing a life-threatening disease such as cancer is usually marked by high levels of distress. As the latest modification of the stress criterion for posttraumatic stress disorder includes cancer as a potential precipitating traumatic event, the concept of posttraumatic stress disorder has been widely applied to cancer survivors.

Current research: An increasing number of studies try to assess the traumatic impact of the disease on patients' psychological well-being. The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder in cancer patients is still not known, mainly due to various methodological problems and the lack of valid assessment instruments.

Conclusions: The importance of giving clinical attention to the specific stress symptoms in cancer survivors cannot be emphasized enough. Understanding the psychological distress of this population will help clinicians to identify patients at risk and prevent severe stress reactions.