Psychosocial distress in patients with thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to evaluate levels of psychosocial distress in thyroid cancer patients. An analysis of factors contributing to levels of distress is included. STUDY DESIGN Individual retrospective cohort study. SETTING Head and neck cancer clinic at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 118 newly diagnosed thyroid cancer patients were included in the study. Univariate and multivariate analyses evaluated levels of and factors contributing to distress. RESULTS Almost half (43.3%) of patients had significant distress. Those with self-reported psychiatric history, use of antidepressant medication, and history of radiation treatment had higher levels of distress. On multivariate analysis, patient endorsement of emotional issues predicted a higher distress level. CONCLUSIONS Thyroid cancer patients have high distress levels. Identification of thyroid cancer patients with high distress levels is important to offer additional support during cancer therapy.