Psychiatric comorbidities in visceral surgery patients with cancer

Cancer patients with mental disorders suffer from a decreased quality of life (QoL) and are in need of appropriate treatment. A total of 99 cancer patients were interviewed during surgical inpatient treatment with a structured clinical interview for diagnosis of mental disorders (SCID). The QoL and distress were examined prospectively using the validated questionnaires EORTC QLQ-C30 and HADS. Patient psychological well-being and the need for psycho-oncological treatment were assessed by 31 doctors and 41 nurses. Of the patients 19% were diagnosed with having a mental disorder and in 10% immediate treatment was deemed necessary. This was identified by doctors and nurses in 38-60% and by HADS in 78% of the cases. The QoL of patients with psychiatric comorbidities was diminished 6 months after surgery, while patients without comorbidities recovered significantly better. Of the visceral surgery cancer patients studied 10% had a relevant mental disorder. To prevent symptoms becoming chronic they should be detected and treated early and efficiently.