[Symptoms of depression in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy].

Symptoms of depression and anxiety were measured in a prospective follow-up study of 36 cancer patients before and during chemotherapy by means of the Hamilton rating scales and the Melancholia Scale. These scales proved useful in the examined population. Moderate or severe depression was seen in almost half of the patients before chemotherapy, but this figure decreased during follow-up. The symptomatology resembled that of primary depression, and the brief rating scales for depression seemed suitable for screening purpose. Problems in identifying morbid states of anxiety and depression are discussed.