Psychological Aspects of the Phenomenon of the Phantom Limb in Cancer Patients Undergoing Amputation Surgery: Integrative Literature Review

• Main Author: Nessimian, Betina Carnevale
• Publication Date: 2022
• Other Authors: Gomes, Rosilene Souza
• Format: Article
• Language: por; eng
• Source: Revista Brasileira de Cancerologia (Online)
• Download full: https://rbc.inca.gov.br/index.php/revista/article/view/1602
• topic: membro fantasma/psicologia; amputação; amputados/psicologia; neoplasias; phantom limb/psychology; amputation; amputees/psychology; neoplasms; miembro fantasma/psicología; amputación; amputados/ psicología; neoplasias

Introduction: Many patients affected by bone and soft tissue tumors, undergo amputation surgery and report the sensation and/or pain of the phantom limb. Objective: Identify, summarize and discuss studies on the psychological aspects of the phantom limb phenomenon in oncological patients who underwent amputation surgery. Method: Integrative review of the literature published in the last 25 years. Experimental studies, clinical trials and literature review were searched in the databases MEDLINE, LILACS and Embase. Results: Seven articles were selected for this review. Three studies established correlations between psychological factors and the occurrence of the phantom limb phenomenon after amputation, four addressed psychological and emotional aspects involved in the amputation surgery and psychological aspects involved in the phantom limb phenomenon, however, they did not establish relationships among them. Some authors defend the correlation between psychological aspects and the occurrence of the phantom limb phenomenon in amputee patients. Its neurophysiological explanation remains unknown to the scientific community. Conclusion: The phantom limb phenomenon can be influenced by psychological and emotional aspects caused by the illness and its treatment. Further studies about the phenomenon in cancer patients are necessary, especially about the psychological aspects, given its relevance in cancer care.