Cancer Med. 2014 Aug 26. doi: 10.1002/cam4.316. [Epub ahead of print]
Hultcrantz M, Svensson T, Derolf AR, Kristinsson SY, Lindqvist EK, Ekbom A, Granath F, Björkholm M
In this Swedish population-based study of nearly 50,000 patients with haematological malignancies and over 230,000 matched controls, the incidence and risk factors for suicide and suicide attempt were evaluated. Information was obtained from national registers and medical records. In total, there were 54 suicides and 158 suicide attempts, of which 36 suicides and 100 suicide attempts were in the first 3 years after diagnosis. There was a twofold increased risk of suicide/suicide attempt during the first 3 years in patients after diagnosis with haematological malignancies compared to matched controls. Of all haematological malignancies, multiple myeloma was associated with the highest risk (over 3 times the increased risk). Patients with any haematological malignancy and a pre-existing psychiatric disorder were at a very high risk of suicide and suicide attempt (over 23 times the increased risk). In the patients who committed suicide, one fifth were in a palliative phase and nearly half were in remission (receiving no active treatment). The authors suggest that certain high-risk patients may benefit from early detection and preventive measures.