The prevalence of anxiety and depression was evaluated in 716 unselected hospitalised patients and out-patients seen at the Norwegian Radium Hospital using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the EORTC QLQ-C33 and an ad hoc designed questionnaire, the latter assessing socio-demographic data and disease-related parameters. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 13% and 9%, respectively, as assessed with the HADS. In the logistic regression analysis, none of the disease-related factors remained independent parameters predictive for psychiatric distress, whereas a history of previous psychiatric problems and impaired social life were correlated both with anxiety and depression. Female gender, impaired physical activity and impaired social role function were additional predictive parameters for anxiety, whereas fatigue predicted depression. Careful attention should be paid to cancer patients displaying these significant problems in order to diagnose and treat depression and anxiety disorders of clinical importance.