e20707 Background: Head neck cancer is one of the prevalent cancers in India. The diagnosis, treatment and the treatment outcome affect various psychological issues of the patients. The aim of the study is to assess depression, anxiety and stress of locally advanced head neck cancer patients, receiving concurrent chemoradiation. Methods: It was a prospective study done in the department of Radiotherapy, Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata from July 2012 to January 2013. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) was used to assess the Depression, Anxiety and Stress of the locally advanced non metastatic head neck carcinoma patients. The assessment of the psychological factors was done by the DASS questionnaire in Bengali Version. Each patient was assessed by this scale after 1) breaking bad news, 2) 3 wks after starting the concurrent chemoradiation, 3) on completion of the treatment and 4) 6 weeks after completion ,assessing the response. In each time it was compared with the baseline values using paired t test. Results: Study was carried out with 45 locally advanced non metastatic head neck carcinoma patients. Among them majority are male (77.78%). It was seen that after “breaking bad news” 68.89% of patient are significantly depressed (p < .05). Depression was more among Male population, having age less than 60 years. After 3 weeks of treatment and on completion - in both scenario depression decreased but anxiety and stress increased. There was a significant positive correlation between various toxicities (eg. Mucositis, Dysphagia) on Anxiety and Stress during the course of treatment. Depression after 6weeks on completion was significantly (p < .05) depends on the type of response. Conclusions: The psychological factors of the patients suffering from locally advanced head neck cancer should be taken in consideration right after diagnosis, assessed regularly during the course of management and appropriate care may be taken accordingly.
Exploring new potentials and generating hypothesis for management of locally advanced head neck cancer: Analysis of pooled data from two phase II trials
