Background: Suicidality and brain tumors are two life-threatening conditions and, somewhat unexpectedly, the associations between them have scarcely been reported. Objective: In this study, we aimed to provide a brief literature review of epidemiological studies on suicidal ideation (SI) and suicidal behavior (SB) in patients with brain tumors. To illustrate various aspects of brain tumors that potentially underlie the emergence of suicidality, the review is supplemented with a clinical exemplar of a long-term survivor of brain tumor (glioblastoma) who experienced persistent SI. Furthermore, we discuss putative both neurobiological (including anatomical and immunological) and psychosocial mechanisms that might be accountable for the development of SI and SB in patients with brain tumors. Conclusions: While the etiology of this phenomenon appears to be multifactorial and still remains a subject of much debate, it is of critical importance to identify patients for which a psychiatric evaluation could recognize, in a timely manner, a possible suicide risk and alleviate the deep related suffering, by appropriate psychopharmacological and supportive and psychotherapeutic interventions.

Suicidality in patients with brain tumors. A brief literature review with clinical exemplar / Costanza, Alessandra; Zenga, Francesco; Rudà, Roberta; Amerio, Andrea; Aguglia, Andrea; Serafini, Gianluca; Amore, Mario; Bondolfi, Guido; Berardelli, Isabella; Dinh Nguyen, Khoa. - In: MEDICINA. - ISSN 1010-660X. - 56:12(2021), pp. 1-12. [10.3390/medicina56120725]

Suicidality in patients with brain tumors. A brief literature review with clinical exemplar

Isabella Berardelli;
2021

Abstract

Background: Suicidality and brain tumors are two life-threatening conditions and, somewhat unexpectedly, the associations between them have scarcely been reported. Objective: In this study, we aimed to provide a brief literature review of epidemiological studies on suicidal ideation (SI) and suicidal behavior (SB) in patients with brain tumors. To illustrate various aspects of brain tumors that potentially underlie the emergence of suicidality, the review is supplemented with a clinical exemplar of a long-term survivor of brain tumor (glioblastoma) who experienced persistent SI. Furthermore, we discuss putative both neurobiological (including anatomical and immunological) and psychosocial mechanisms that might be accountable for the development of SI and SB in patients with brain tumors. Conclusions: While the etiology of this phenomenon appears to be multifactorial and still remains a subject of much debate, it is of critical importance to identify patients for which a psychiatric evaluation could recognize, in a timely manner, a possible suicide risk and alleviate the deep related suffering, by appropriate psychopharmacological and supportive and psychotherapeutic interventions.
2021
brain tumor; glioblastoma; glioma; suicide; suicidal ideation; suicide attempt; suicidal behavior; demoralization; meaning in life
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01g Articolo di rassegna (Review)
Suicidality in patients with brain tumors. A brief literature review with clinical exemplar / Costanza, Alessandra; Zenga, Francesco; Rudà, Roberta; Amerio, Andrea; Aguglia, Andrea; Serafini, Gianluca; Amore, Mario; Bondolfi, Guido; Berardelli, Isabella; Dinh Nguyen, Khoa. - In: MEDICINA. - ISSN 1010-660X. - 56:12(2021), pp. 1-12. [10.3390/medicina56120725]
File allegati a questo prodotto
File Dimensione Formato  
Costanza_Suicidality_2020.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (versione pubblicata con il layout dell'editore)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 490.35 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
490.35 kB Adobe PDF

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1474680
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 3
  • Scopus 4
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 4
social impact