What Is the Best Approach for the Management of Mental Health Disease Among Head and Neck Cancer Patients?

Although patients with head and neck cancer (HND) commonly experience mental health disease (MHD) at rates equal to or greater than those of patients with other types of cancer, HNC patients with MHD are often underdiagnosed and untreated. Thus, validated surveys should be used to screen for MHD, as subjective clinical judgement may underdiagnose MHD. Multidisciplinary treatment through psychosocial interventions and antidepressant medications can lead to lower rates of MHD, improved quality of life, and reduced mortality among HNC patients.