Depression and survival in head and neck cancer patients

Lower survival and poorer outcomes have been demonstrated in cancer patients with depression [1–3]. Previous studies examining depression in cancer populations have found higher cancer recurrence and lower quality of life in cancer patients with clinical depression or depressive symptomology [1,4]. Depression has also been associated with increased mortality in patients with cancer, with mortality rates up to 25% higher in cancer patients who experience depression [5,6]. Though previous studies have examined the effect that depression may have on cancer mortality rates, there are few large-scale studies that have examined the association between depression and survival in patients with head and neck cancers (HNC).

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