Citation

Thompson DS, Shear MK. International Journal of Geriatric Psychopharmacology 1998; 1(4): 242-243.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Despite knowledge that chemotherapy is associated with depression, there are few reports that are specific to the relationship between depression and one of the chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Interleukin-2 is a chemotherapeutic agent that is being used to treat a variety of cancers commonly diagnosed in the geriatric population. These include: colorectal carcinoma, malignant melanoma and ovarian cancer. This case identifies the development of severe depression in an elderly female patient receiving interleukin-2 therapy for metastatic ovarian cancer. The rapid onset of depression and abatement of symptoms with cessation of treatment suggests a strong correlation between the interleukin-2 and depressive symptoms. Awareness of possible depressive symptoms in patients receiving this form of chemotherapy may expedite appropriate treatment.

Language: en

Keywords

aged; article; cancer immunotherapy; carboplatin; case report; Case report; Chemotherapy; cisplatin; clonazepam; depression; Depression; drug safety; female; gerontopsychiatry; human; insomnia; interleukin 2; Interleukin-2; myoclonus; Ovarian cancer; ovary cancer; paclitaxel; paroxetine; priority journal; restlessness; suicide; trazodone; zolpidem