Citation

Hefner J, Mielke S, Csef H. Onkologe 2016; 22(7): 488-492.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016)

DOI

10.1007/s00761-016-0035-3

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is nowadays implemented as a standard treatment in hematological oncology. In a few years there are expected to be 500,000 long-term survivors of HSCT worldwide and the numbers will show a clear increase. Little is known about suicidal ideation and suicide in the context of HSCT.

OBJECTIVE: The current state of knowledge on suicide after HSCT was systematically reviewed. Specific and as yet unresolved issues are presented. Material and methods: A systematic literature search on the topics of HSCT and suicide was carried out in the Medline and Embase databases. The results are discussed in detail.

RESULTS: Only seven articles were found that address the topic of suicide and suicidal ideations after HSCT. In two publications the topic is only mentioned without any further analysis. In one case report important indications of specific risk factors within the HSCT setting are presented.

CONCLUSION: There is an alarming paucity of investigations on suicide after HSCT. The existing publications indicate a twofold increase of the risk of suicide for patients who had to undergo a HSCT. Younger men with somatic and/or psychological stress are particularly at risk The suicide risk is elevated for many years after therapy; therefore, an ongoing screening of long-term survivors is recommended. There is a substantial lack of specialized knowledge on suicide after HSCT. Furthermore, case reports suggest a deleterious impairment of communication in the context of HSCT. Practical advice as part of a proactive suicide prevention is discussed in this article. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Language: de

Keywords

Risk factors; human; Suicide; systematic review; suicidal ideation; Systematic review; knowledge; Suicide prevention; risk assessment; risk factor; data base; treatment indication; Article; clinical assessment; Medline; allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; Embase; Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation