The Psychological Effect of Brain Cancer and the Treatments on Patients

Abstract

        In America today, brain cancer is the fifth most common cancer and more than 1 million people in the US are living with it. There are more than 100 different kinds of primary brain tumors1. There are many different ways to treat brain cancer including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, proton beam radiation therapy, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), and carmustine implants . Among these, surgery is the most common treatment plan for brain cancer patients . Brain cancer treatments have a significant psychological effect on patients that can cause a wide range of changes in their behavior. These effects include mood disorders, depression, personality changes, psychotic disorders, changes in memory, and changes in focus . This is a huge problem because cancer patients undergoing these treatments are not getting proper supportive care and the help they need to deal with the changes in their bodies. This study aims to provide families dealing with cancer, cancer patients, cancer survivors, and the healthcare system the knowledge they need to implement more support into the world of healthcare to allow people to understand these psychological changes and how to deal with them. After brain cancer treatments, patients should expect to experience a series of psychological and behavioral differences in their everyday lives.