Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a collective term describing malignancy located around the oral, larynx, pharynx, and maxillofacial areas. Most HNC patients suffer from dysfunction associated with breathing, eating, and communicating and get a lot of stress. However previous psychological interventions have little or no effect on stress relief according to a recently-published meta-analysis. This paper presents a case report of a patient with terminal tongue cancer, which frustrated by uncontrolled pain and his own inability of swallowing. Psychologist reinforced his support-seeking skill and distraction indirectly through a ward nursing staff and a palliative care nurse. For the last time, the patient could get enough support from both his family and medical staff, and his psychological state gradually became stable. This report suggested that behavioral consultation focused on the acquisition of stress coping skill effects on reduced psychological distress for patients with HNC.
