The Problem of Depression in Cancer Care: Assessment, Intervention and Implications
(El Problema de la Depresión en Oncología: Evaluación, Intervención y Implicaciones)

Tuesday, 10 June 2008 - 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
presented by Luigi Grassi MD

Presented in English with Spanish translation / En Inglés con traducción al Español


Target Audience:

Psychologists, nurses, general practitioners, oncologists, psychiatrists


Workshop Objectives:

1. To understand the clinical characteristics and phenomenology of depression and depressive disorders in cancer care

2. To gain knowledge on the best ways of assessment of depression and the most common problems encountered in clinical care

3. To understand the neglected consequences of depression in cancer

4. To discuss the several possible intervention by using clinical vignettes and small


Workshop Description:

The problems of depression has been extensively debated in cancer care. Psycho-oncology research and clinical experience indicate that depression is common among cancer patients (20-30%); that it is not possible to consider depression only as a continuum but that several types and phenomenological presentations are possible; that, irrespective of the type, depression is accompanied by important consequences (e.g. poor QoL, compliance, pain, suicide risk, family problems etc.); that assessment and diagnosis should follow specific guidelines; that new psychobiological data are showing the pathways through which depression can mould prognosis in certain forms of cancer; and that treatment should be tailored according to the clinical situation and the patients’ needs by using all the possible evidence-based interventions (psychotherapy, psychopharmacology).

The workshop will focus attention on these issue and, by using an interactive model of teaching (clinical cases, personal report, video-taped interview, small groups exercises) will present an up-to-date of this important area of cancer care. Handouts will be distributed to participants.

The workshop is open to all cancer professionals and it will be conducted in English with consecutive translation in Spanish.