Surviving and thriving: Assessing quality of life and psychosocial interventions in mental health of head and neck cancer patients

The quality of life of head and neck cancer patients is affected by various factors, including the disease itself, treatment side effects, and changes in appearance, leading to a range of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorders. These mental health problems not only reduce the patients' quality of life but may also negatively impact treatment outcomes and survival rates. Therefore, it is particularly important to assess and intervene in the mental health of head and neck cancer patients. This review focuses on the common mental health issues in these patients and emphasizes the importance of detailed assessment. By using various assessment tools, healthcare professionals can accurately identify patients' mental states and provide appropriate support and interventions. The article discusses various effective mental health interventions aimed at improving patients' psychological adaptation, reducing psychological stress, and enhancing quality of life. These interventions include cognitive- behavioral adjustments, family support, and mindfulness practices. In addition, the article mentions the potential of artificial intelligence technology in improving patients' quality of life, particularly in treatment planning, patient education, and mental health interventions. In summary, comprehensive management and intervention of the mental health of head and neck cancer patients are crucial to improving their quality of life and treatment outcomes. Future research needs to further explore effective psychological intervention methods and integrate them into the overall treatment plan for head and neck cancer patients. (c) 2025 Asian Surgical Association and Taiwan Society of Coloproctology. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc-nd/4.0/).