Mental Health Disorders After Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis

Researchers suggest patients with head and neck cancer be monitored for mental health disorders.

Mental health disorders proportion was 29.9 percent, an increase from 20.6 percent before head and neck cancer diagnosis, stated new study.

Using information from a large insurance claims database, this study examined how common mental //health disorders were in patients with HNC and how they were associated with diagnosis and treatment.

Head and Neck Cancers - Types, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments
Head and neck cancers usually occur in the squamous cells lining the moist, mucosal surfaces inside the head and neck.

‘Treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) might cure the disease but it also can result in adverse effects such as disfigurement and speech difficulties, which can affect quality of life for patients. ’

Women and patients with a history of tobacco use and alcohol use were more likely to develop mental health disorders. The study may have underestimated how common mental health disorders were among the patients.

Authors: Neerav Goyal, M.D., M.P.H., Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, and coauthors (doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2018.4512)

Editor's Note: The article includes conflict of interest disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

Quiz on Head and Neck Cancer
Head and neck cancers begin in squamous cells that line the moist, mucosal surfaces inside the head and neck. These kinds of cancers related to squamous cells are referred to as squamous cell carcinomas.

Cancers of head and neck are further differentiated by the area of head and neck in which they begin. This form of cancer starts in lip, oral cavity (mouth), nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, pharynx and larynx.

Cancers in brain, eye, esophagus, thyroid gland, scalp, muscles and bones of head and neck are not categorized under head and neck cancers. In some cases, squamous cells can be found in lymph nodes of upper neck when there is no evidence of cancer in other parts of head and neck. If this happens, cancer is called metastatic squamous neck cancer with unknown (occult) primary.

Source-Eurekalert

Unhealthy Diet Linked to Poor Mental Health: Study
Poor mental health is seen in adults who consumed more junk food compared to their peers who consumed a healthier diet.

Study on Mental Health Disorders and Treatment in Children
A new survey has found that an estimated 7.7 million children in the United States (16.5 percent) have at least one mental health disorder and about half didn't receive treatment from a mental health professional.