Depression Among Long-term Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer Treated With Radiation Therapy

Abstract

Despite a relatively high rate of depression among patients with head and neck cancer in the post-RT setting, mental health services are severely underutilized.

Quality of care and short‐ and long‐term outcomes of laryngeal cancer care in the elderly

“…Severe dysphagia resulting in gastrostomy dependence is a late effect of treatment that may develop or progress years after treatment, and once present, the majority of patients with severe dysphagia remain gastrostomy‐dependent despite aggressive therapeutic interventions . Prolonged NPO status has been shown to be associated with worse long‐term swallowing outcomes and depression . Prophylactic gastrostomy placement before or during treatment to prevent weight loss and provide a route for enteral feeding is commonly advised, but a growing body of literature suggests that prophylactic gastrostomy placement is associated with worse long‐term swallowing outcomes, and in fact may not prevent weight loss .…”

Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Survivors

“…59 When screening depression alone, the prevalence of these symptoms that are above cutpoints for depression range from 12% to 14%. 33,60–66 A meta-analysis of major depression diagnosed with interviews in the non-palliative care setting found a prevalence of 16%. 67 This was confirmed in women with breast cancer who were followed 4 months after their diagnosis and over the course of 1 year were assessed a total of 7 times using a clinical interview and questionnaire.…”

Further analysis of the emotional consequences of head and neck cancer as reflected by the Patients’ Concerns Inventory

“…1,2 Previous work has shown that patients experience a wide continue. 24,25 Poor survival has been associated with anxiety, depression, and low health-related quality of life (HRQoL). 12 Screening for anxiety and depression in routine clinics 7,26 can give access to a variety of interventions, 27,28 and the head and neck Patients' Concerns Inventory (HNC-PCI) is a screening tool that is freely available.…”