Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Mar 14, 2024; 30(10): 1266-1269
Published online Mar 14, 2024. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i10.1266
Double role of depression in gastric cancer: As a causative factor and as consequence
Grigorios Christodoulidis, Koumarelas Konstantinos-Eleftherios, Kouliou Marina-Nektaria
Grigorios Christodoulidis, Koumarelas Konstantinos-Eleftherios, Kouliou Marina-Nektaria, Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa 41110, Greece
Author contributions: Christodoulidis G, Konstantinos-Eleftherios K and Marina-Nektaria K contributed to this paper; Christodoulidis G designed the overall concept and outline of the manuscript; Christodoulidis G, Konstantinos-Eleftherios K and Marina-Nektaria K contributed to the discussion and design of the manuscript; Christodoulidis G, Konstantinos-Eleftherios K and Marina-Nektaria K contributed to the writing, editing the manuscript, and review of literature.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Grigorios Christodoulidis, MD, PhD, Surgeon, Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Mezourlo, Larissa 41110, Greece. gregsurg@yahoo.gr
Received: December 16, 2023
Peer-review started: December 16, 2023
First decision: January 4, 2024
Revised: January 13, 2024
Accepted: February 23, 2024
Article in press: February 23, 2024
Published online: March 14, 2024
Core Tip

Core Tip: Gastric cancer (GC), a prevalent malignancy in the digestive system, poses a dual challenge with both physical and psychological implications. While standard treatments like gastrectomy impact patients' quality of life, the psychological burden, including anxiety and depression, cannot be overlooked. Depression, reaching prevalence rates of 57%, significantly influences cancer outcomes, affecting mental well-being, treatment adherence, and overall quality of life. Chronic stress and neurotransmitter dysregulation play a pivotal role in GC development, activating pathways that induce tumor progression. Understanding the intricate connection between depression and GC not only highlights the need for comprehensive psychological support but also unveils potential therapeutic targets. Addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of GC is essential for enhancing the overall well-being and outcomes of patients grappling with this complex disease.