title: Psychological Analysis of Oral Cancer Patients during Pre-operative Period in South Indian Population: A Prospective, Quantitative, Multicentre Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral cancer is prevalent worldwide with high incidence of mortality and morbidity. It is associated with poor prognosis and low survival rate. Moreover, patients affected are more likely to develop psychological issues and thus, addressing psychological needs of such patients is crucial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to assess the quality of life of oral cancer patients in the pre-operative period, thereby providing them with the necessary psychological support.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 206 patients, scheduled to undergo treatment for oral cancer were selected from various cancer centres in South India. After informed consent, 171 patients were finally analysed for their quality of life using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) version 4; and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Head and Neck (FACT-H&N), as a Quality of Life (QOL) survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the patients had poor quality of life and were found to be emotionally distressed pre-operatively as they did not have proper emotional support from society.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From the study it was observed that catering to the psychological needs of oral cancer patients is important and psychological counselling should be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan for such patients.
authors.affiliation: Professor and HOD, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Best Dental Science College , Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India .
authors.forename: Prabhusankar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kamatchinathan
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Best Dental Science College , Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India .
authors.forename: Nisharudeen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kaja
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Best Dental Science College , Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India .
authors.forename: Varun
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Muthuraman
authors.affiliation: Professor and HOD, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sri Venkateshwara Dental College , Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India .
authors.forename: Yuvaraj
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Antharaju
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Best Dental Science College , Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India .
authors.forename: Mahendra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Best Dental Science College , Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India .
authors.forename: Usha
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Varadharajan
keywords: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Head and Neck (FACT-H&N); Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) version 4; Psychological; Quality of Life (QOL) survey