Psycho-oncology - psychosocial oncology: integration in a concept of oncological treatment

Psycho-oncology is defined by psychosocial aspects of prevention, etiology, diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitation of cancer. It is characterized by interdisciplinary medicine, as well as cooperation between medical and nonmedical professionals. Psychosocial distress and/or psychiatric disorders are manifested in 30-60% of cancer patients. The primary target of psycho-oncological management is to retain and ideally optimize the subjective quality of life of cancer patients. It is important to understand that psycho-oncological care is part of an integrative oncological patient management. Basic psycho-oncological management is usually provided by the primary oncologist, whereas more specific psycho-oncological measures call for specially trained psychiatric/psychotherapeutic staff. Psycho-oncological interventions include psychological/psychotherapeutic, as well as psychopharmacologic interventions.