Standardized Screening and Psycho-oncological Treatment of Orthopedic Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background/aim: Psycho-oncological distress is a relevant clinical problem. The aim of this study was to administer a standardized psycho-oncological distress screening for early identification and indication-based treatment of highly distressed orthopedic cancer patients as well as the evaluation of distress patterns.

Patients and methods: In total, 35 patients with cancer were psycho-oncologically screened using a cancer-specific expert rating scale (Basic Documentation for Psycho-Oncology Short Form) at three different time points (day of admission, day before discharge, 3 months postoperatively). Psycho-oncological support was offered to all patients whose distress exceeded a defined cut-off value.

Results: Levels of distress in approximately 51% of patients exceeded the cut-off value at the time of admission and these patients received psycho-oncological support. The high distress levels decreased significantly over time. Patients whose distress did not exceed the cut-off value at the first assessment showed low distress levels at all time points.

Conclusion: A relevant number of orthopedic tumor patients suffer from psychosocial distress. Standardized screening might help to identify and adequately treat those patients.

Keywords: PO-Bado; Sarcoma; bone tumor; cancer; distress screening; psychosocial distress.