Cancer increases cytokine levels, which are linked to symptoms of depression. Cancer treatments containing cytokines can lead to depression and the “sickness syndrome”. The link between cytokines and cancer determines the progression of depression symptoms.
The link between cytokines and cancer appears to be that cancer increases cytokine levels, and both are linked to symptoms of depression. Patients who receive cancer treatments to get rid of their tumors tend to experience a higher incidence of depression. This is due to the cytokines contained in the drugs. Furthermore, cytokine levels are known to naturally increase in the body due to prolonged physical or emotional stress.
A type of protein, cytokines essentially regulate hormones that communicate with the body’s immune system. The link between cytokines and cancer appears to be related to increases in the amount of cytokines actively circulating within a patient’s bloodstream. They are considered pro-inflammatory and tend to irritate the body.
Cytokines and cancer are related as cancer puts a strain on the immune system. An increase in cytokines may be the body’s inflammatory response to the infection. Higher levels of these proteins result in many emotional and physical symptoms that resemble depression. These symptoms include suicidal thoughts, lethargy, loss of interest in hobe activities and decreased sex drive.
It is somewhat difficult to establish whether depression is the result of an increased level of cytokines or whether depression originates as a side effect of cancer. Increased levels of cytokines are seen in individuals experiencing long-term physical or emotional stress, including illness. What is certain is that the link between cytokines and cancer determines the progression of symptoms commonly associated with depression.
Patients with some forms of cancer receive therapeutic drugs and treatment protocols that contain cytokine proteins. They are usually referred to as TH2 cytokines and are sometimes used to treat conditions such as leukemia and melanoma. Treatments with TH2 cytokines aim to destroy tumors and cancer cells that may later develop into tumors. When these types of treatments are given, patients are at a higher risk of developing depression as well as what is sometimes referred to as the “sickness syndrome”.
Symptoms of the “sickness syndrome” include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure. Symptoms of depression may or may not accompany them, but there is a 50% chance that they do. When TH2 cytokine treatments are stopped, symptoms of depression and the “sickness syndrome” usually subside.
Some think the drugs elevate the body’s cytokine levels even more by releasing the proteins from tumors or cancer cells. Regardless of how elevated they become, the primary link between cytokines and cancer is that the disease or its treatments lead to abnormal levels. It is these higher levels that contribute to unpleasant side effects.
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