Prospective analysis of depression and psychological distress before and after surgical resection of lung cancer.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The psychological effects of surgery have received little attention in patients with lung cancer, so it is unclear how much psychological support is required by these patients. This study was done to assess the mental state of patients with lung cancer before and after surgery and to determine their need for psychological care. METHODS: A group of 165 patients with lung cancer scheduled for surgical treatment were included in this study. They were asked to complete the Profile of Mood States questionnaire before surgery and on discharge after completion of treatment. The data on mood from the questionnaires were analyzed. RESULTS: Tension-anxiety improved significantly after surgery, whereas the fatigue score increased significantly. The scores for depression-dejection and confusion were elevated before surgery and were unchanged afterward. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with lung cancer were depressed before surgery and remained depressed after their operations, although postoperative tension-anxiety diminished. These results indicate that lung cancer patients need psychological support to alleviate depression during the perioperative period.