The incidence, severity, and location of pain was evaluated in 30 head and neck cancer patients prior to treatment after the first phase of their treatment and upon the completion of treatment. The incidence of pain was relatively high (40%-70%) and tended to increase slightly over treatment. Patients having advanced disease (stage III or IV) had a higher incidence of pain. Pain severity ratings were stable over treatment. Pain was located close to tumor or incision sites, and a trend for patients to report a greater number of pain sites over treatment was noted. While medical status variables (disease stage and site) were found to predict pain status after the initial phase of cancer treatment, initial pain measurements were more likely to predict pain status at the completion of treatment.

This study examined coping strategies in head and neck cancer patients. The relationships between the use of approach and avoidant coping strategies and the physical and emotional distress of 35 newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patients during the early stages of cancer treatment were evaluated. Patients were categorized on the basis of coping strategy at the time of diagnosis and then evaluated twice during the course of their treatment at four- to six-week intervals. Cancer patients who predominantly employed either approach or avoidant strategies had lower initial levels of emotional distress than patients who did not use either of these strategies. Although symptoms of distress decreased in patients using approach or avoidance, symptoms increased for those patients who did not use these strategies. The level of stress for this cancer population is highest at the point of confirmed diagnosis and recedes during the course of treatment. The theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

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A tremendous amount of media attention has been directed towards sexual abuse perpetrated by Roman