The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) clinical practice guidelines for managing anxiety and depression in adult cancer patients focus on providing evidence-based recommendations for the assessment and treatment of these psychiatric disorders. These conditions are highly prevalent among cancer patients and can significantly impact their quality of life, treatment adherence, and overall prognosis. The guidelines differentiate between normal psychological reactions to cancer diagnosis and treatment and more severe psychopathological conditions.
They recommend regular screening using validated tools and emphasize the importance of distinguishing between transient psychological symptoms and clinical psychiatric conditions that require more intensive intervention. The guidelines also discuss various treatment options, which include both psychotherapeutic and pharmacological…
