title: Psychosocial distress is prevalent in head and neck cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to evaluate the levels of psychological distress in head and neck cancer patients using a validated screening tool. We aim to characterize distress in this cancer population and understand the factors driving distress levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of prospectively gathered data.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of prospectively gathered data was undertaken from 89 head and neck cancer patients (HNC) who completed the Distress Thermometer and Problem List (DT) from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Distress levels were high in the overall population. The level of distress was significantly greater in patients with a self-reported history of depression (P <.001), family concerns (P = .030), emotional concerns (P = .001) and physical concerns (P = .014).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychosocial distress was found to be high in the HNC population. Factors associated with increased distress level included a self-reported history of depression, family concerns, emotional concerns, and physical concerns.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. Luke.buchmann@hsc.utah.edu
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Buchmann
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Conlee
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Jayant
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014589:Utah / Q000453:epidemiology