Supervisors info:
Μυστακίδου Κυριακή, Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Κουλουλίας Βασίλειος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Ζυγογιάννη Άννα, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Introduction: The purpose of this dissertation is to review the literature related to the traumatic experiences of cancer patients after surgery. The research question which arises questions the role of the cancer diagnosis, and the role of the surgical treatments of cancer in the appearance and size of postoperative trauma and the mental disorders produced by it.
Method: The literature reviewed was published on the online databases Pubmed, Wiley, Taylor and Francis and Igenta C with the last online search taking place on the 14/10/2020. The exclusion criteria were: no surgery, no mental disorder, no non-adult sample, no primary study. Keywords used for the search: trauma, traumatic experience, post-traumatic stress disorder, cancer patients, postoperative
Results: The literature review showed a direct correlation between the oncological surgical treatment and the occurrence of mental trauma in a large percentage of patients. Measurements before and after the surgery showed that the diagnosis of cancer is a factor of mental trauma per se, but also ithe ncreased levels of stress in patients right before surgery, revealed that the idea of the surgergical treatment alone is a traumatic experience for the patient.
Conclusion: Postoperatively a significant number of cancer patients develop mental trauma or related mental disorder, due to the diagnosis of cancer and the outcome of the surgical treatment ,depending on the type of treatment ,depending on the type of treatment and type of cancer. Further investigation on the relationship between the results of the operation and the postoperative trauma (depending on type of surgery, type of cancer and stage) is proposed. The investigation towards a more focused prevention of mental trauma in cancer treatment protocols in general, and in surgical cancer treatment protocols in particular is also proposed. This approach should emphasize the promotion of the collaboration between medical practitioners, social support structures and Palliative Care providers.
Keywords:
Trauma, Traumatic experience, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Cancer patients, Postoperative
