The psychosocial impact of the diagnosis and treatment of laryngeal cancer.
The diagnosis and treatment of laryngeal cancer involves psychosocial stress for most patients because the disease can be life threatening and treatment is potentially disfiguring. Loss of voice, appearance changes, and functional limitations all pose threats to self image and identity. Since voice is essential to psychological identity, laryngectomy may pose significant short- and long-term adjustment problems. Risk for psychological disturbance and problems at the initiation of treatment and adaptation following treatment can be predicted based on certain patient information. The integration of a multidisciplinary team at the outset of treatment planning is crucial in helping patients adjust to the impact of laryngeal cancer.
McQuellon
R P
RP
Psychosocial Oncology and Cancer Patient Support Programs, Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1082, USA.
Hurt
G J
GJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D007830:Larynx / Q000601:surgery; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012917:Social Adjustment; D014831:Voice