The assessment and prevalence of affective disorders in advanced cancer.

The assessment of depression in patients with advanced cancer presents a difficult clinical challenge. Reported prevalence rates of depression in cancer patients range from 3.7% to 58%. Studies using structured diagnostic interviews and clearly defined diagnostic criteria are presented. The current literature suggests that among hospitalized cancer patients with significant levels of physical impairment at least 25% suffer from clinically important depression. Risk of suicide and recent literature regarding early wish to die are also discussed.