Psychosocial aspects of head and neck cancer

The major psychosocial issues in managing the patient with a head and neck tumor are dealing with the emotional reactions to structural and functional deficits, recognizing and treating preexisting personality problems, especially those related to alcohol and tobacco abuse, which frequently complicate their treatment course. These factors influence the rehabilitation process which should begin in the preoperative period with careful attention to psychologic and social assessment and psychiatric evaluation; if an alcoholic history is elicited. Important continuity in rehabilitation can be accomplished by contact with the rehabilitative team members before surgery, preoperative chemotherapy or radiation. Attention to appropriate adaptation to facial prostheses and dealing early with communication disorders requires a specialized staff and a rehabilitative team which can call on a range of skills including a psychiatric consultant. While the ordeal of the head and neck cancer patient is psychologically difficult and challenging, most patients are able, with the proper help, to resume full and productive lives.