Psychosocial distress and treatment in patients with rare cancers

Background Patients with rare cancers might be exposed to particular stressors related to their disease. Diagnosis, treatment and medical decision-making, as well as access to specific information about their disease, often represent challenges. A lack of orientation within the healthcare system and long distances to qualified medical centres constitute some of the difficulties. Thus, various parameters might contribute to mental distress in these clients, which may be even more pronounced than in other cancer patients. Objective Specific parameters causing psychosocial distress in patients with rare cancers are described. Based on an exemplary case study, specific factors and treatment options for these patients are described. Results Current literature and a case study point to potentially high distress among patients with rare oncologic diseases. However, the evidence base is limited by small case numbers. Conclusion Digital interventions represent a good option for reacting to potentially high psychosocial distress in patients with rare cancers. Research on specific parameters causing this distress and also to assess care requirements should be enhanced. In order to achieve the largest possible sample sizes, digital study protocols would be desirable.