Background: Psychiatric illnesses among cancer patients are not uncommon and can have a significant impact on their overall well-being and treatment outcomes. The present study was conducted to assess psychiatric illness among cancer patients. Materials & Methods: 58 cancer patients of both genders were selected. The site of cancer, marital status, employment, stage, pain and type of psychiatric illness was recorded. The American Psychiatric Association's DSM-III diagnostic system was used in making the diagnoses. Results: Out of patients, males were 38 and females were 20. 40 were married, 10 unmarried and 8 widow. 15 were housewife, 32 employed and 11 others. Site was lung in 12, breast in 16, head & neck in 7, colon in 9, eso phagus in 5, stomach in 6 and others in 3 cases. Pain was absent in 16 and mild in 42 cases. Stage was recurrence in 7 and metastasis in 51 cases. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Common psychiatric illness was adjustment disorder, delirium, dementia, major depression, schrizo phrenia, bipolar disorder and panic disorder.