Psychosocial Problems of the Patients Suffering from Gastrointestinal Cancer

Aim: The gastrointestinal tract tumors are commonest in patients over 50 years of age. The patient suffering from gastrointestinal tract cancer is usually submitted to radical or palliative surgical procedure. Its symptoms are related to basic functions such as: nutrition, digestion and defecation. All of the above functions are disturbed in various degrees in the different stages of the disease. The patient suffering from cancer passes through different psychosocial stages that are distinguished from organic disturbances and cancer's psychology in a way difficult to be perceived. In our study we evaluate the quality of life of patients suffering from gastrointestinal tract tumor.

Patients and Method: In our study we used questionnaire in 74 patients for a period of 6 months to 1 year postoperatively. 6 of the patients were suffering from esophageal cancer, 9 from stomach cancer and 59 from colorectal cancer. The questionnaires used were specific for life satisfaction: European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). Interviews took place by phone and personally. Mean age of the patients was 64,5 years.

Results: The comparison between patients who received postoperatively chemotherapy or radiotherapy showed that there is no significant difference in comparison to those who didn't received. Patients with colostomy had worse quality of life satisfaction. Patients with nutrition disturbances (esophageal and stomach cancer) received in higher percentage tranquilizers or sedatives and smaller percentage antidepressants while patients with colorectal cancer received medical treatment in smaller degree (2:1). There were no revealed cases of serious depression or suicide ideas.

Conclusion: Psychological problem of patients suffering from gastrointestinal cancer are added to postoperative organic problems and as a result the clearly affect the quality of life of these patients.