PSYCHIATRIC MANIFESTATIONS IN ONCOLOGY PATIENTS WITH NEUROLOGICAL AND ENDOCRINE DISORDERS

Abstract

Background: Psychiatric manifestations are increasingly recognized in oncology patients, particularly those with neurological and endocrine disorders. The interaction of tumor biology, treatment exposures, and systemic dysregulation contributes to complex mental health outcomes that often remain underdiagnosed.

Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods experimental design, integrating quantitative assessments of anxiety, depression, cognitive function, and hormone levels with qualitative interviews exploring patient experiences. Nine structured tables and twelve figures summarized data on psychiatric symptom prevalence, hormonal profiles, treatment exposures, and intervention outcomes across neurological and endocrine oncology subgroups.

Results: Baseline assessments revealed substantial heterogeneity in psychiatric symptoms, with elevated anxiety and depression observed in a majority of patients. Longitudinal trends showed partial improvement in some individuals, but persistent distress in those with high-risk features, particularly patients exposed to corticosteroids and radiotherapy. Cognitive deficits were most pronounced in patients with neurological tumors, while endocrine abnormalities, especially thyroid and cortisol dysregulation, correlated strongly with mood disturbances. Patients with combined neurological and endocrine dysfunction exhibited the highest psychiatric burden. Figures demonstrated robust associations between hormone levels and psychiatric severity, with depression emerging as the most prevalent manifestation. Subgroup analyses indicated that neuroendocrine tumor patients displayed rapid progression of psychiatric symptoms. Encouragingly, targeted psychiatric interventions—psychotherapy, pharmacological treatment, and hormone stabilization—produced significant symptom reduction and functional improvement.