To report about treatment of a patient with schizophrenia who had depressive symptoms after establishing diagnosis of breast cancer.

The patient, 35 years old, was diagnosed with schizophrenia in the age of 20. Since then she was in regular psychiatric treatment and was taking different antipsychotics in therapy. She was hospitalized six times in our hospital. About one year ago, the diagnosis of breast cancer was established. Before that, the patient had quetiapine in daily dosage of 300 mg in therapy. When the patient found out about the diagnosis of breast cancer she was afraid and after some time developed depressive symptoms. For that reason, tianeptine was administered in therapy, in daily dosage of 37,5 mg, and treatment with quetiapine in daily dosage of 300 mg was continued. Before initiation of antidepressant the patient refused all suggested treatment for breast cancer. Two weeks after initiation of treatment with tianeptine, and along with supportive psychotherapy, the symptoms of depression were reduced and the patient accepted surgical treatment (mastectomy), and after that chemotherapy and radiotherapy. During such treatment the patient continued taking tianeptine and quetiapine as described, and her mental condition remained stable. Also, for the past six months the patient has been attending meetings of women with diagnosis of breast cancer in the Clinic where she was treated.