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The Possible Effects of Emotional Stress on Cancer Mediated through the Immune System

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Cancer, Stress, and Death

Abstract

The complex pathological changes which we collectively call cancer present a series of complicated interactions within the interrelated systems of the body. It is not unreasonable, therefore, that consideration should be given to the possible ways in which the malignant process and the higher centers of the nervous system interact. Although a good deal of attention has been given to the consequences of malignancy on the central nervous system apart from the mechanical effects of metastasis, there is a growing awareness that the areas of the brain collectively concerned with emotions may in turn modify the development and progression of cancer. It is this latter aspect which will be considered in this paper.

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© 1978 Plenum Publishing Corporation

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Lewis, M.G., Phillips, T.M. (1978). The Possible Effects of Emotional Stress on Cancer Mediated through the Immune System. In: Taché, J., Selye, H., Day, S.B. (eds) Cancer, Stress, and Death. Sloan-Kettering Institute Cancer Series. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3459-0_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3459-0_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-3461-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-3459-0

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