The Placebo and Nocebo Effects in Cancer Treatment

摘要: In the field of cancer research both placebo and nocebo effects are observed. Thereby, not only application an inert substance or procedure, placebo, but whole therapeutic context in which a treatment is given has potential to cause effects. Two central mechanisms hypothesized play important roles their development maintenance: expectations conditioning. Psycho-(neuro-)biological underpinnings that correlate with called responses, support existence true Individual patients treated placebos randomized controlled trials report improvements various cancer-related symptoms like fatigue, nausea, pain, vasomotor symptoms. Improvement on average group level arms could be shown for weight gain performance status. No significant placebo-induced tumor response have been so far. Besides desirable changes, also adverse events. As these unspecific side tend mimic effect profiles active treatment, priori about thought relevant. Expectation conditioning as well interactions pathways For example, nausea related chemotherapy can seen result expectations, conditioning, interacting processes. However, until today systematic evaluations remain rare especially methodologically sound integrations needed. With regard ethical issues, demonstration outcome highlights considerations enhancing while decreasing improve patients’ care.