Paliatívna medicína a liečba bolesti 1/2011

Diagnostic and coping with depression in terminal stage of cancer

Patients in terminal stage of cancer are in period of differently low sadness and have to face to massive fear. That is why the article focuses on differential diagnostic and coping with normal grief and clinical depression. Maladaptive reaction in that stage is serious reactive depression. Diagnostic and following treatment of depression in palliative treatment can improve quality of dying and their families.

Keywords: terminal stadium of oncological illness, normal grieving, clinical depression, suicidial ideations, wish to hasten death, pain.