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Patients with cancer may experience various psychological responses depending on chronological phases of cancer, and fear or anxiety of uncertainty is the most common response. Comorbid psychiatric disorders in cancer patients, such as adjustment disorder with depressed mood, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and delirium can cause pain or be exacerbated by pain, therefore it is needed to include the psychiatric evaluation in assessment of patients with cancer pain. Many psychotropics can be used to reduce pain, and physicians should choose appropriate drugs based on understanding about pharmacology of analgesics and psychiatric treatment, when a patient has a comorbid psychiatric disorders.
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