Psychiatric Manifestations in the Context of Brain Tumors: Study and Findings

Abstract

The increase in the frequency of psychiatric disorders is increasingly observed in patients diagnosed with cancer. Brain tumors are often associated with psychiatric symptoms such as mood symptoms, psychosis, memory problems, personality changes, anxiety, or depression. This study investigates what types of manifestations are present in patients with brain tumors, highlighting the connection with the location of the tumor. We conducted a clinical study on a sample of 91 patients diagnosed with primary brain tumors, hospitalized at the "Prof. Dr. Nicolae Oblu Emergency Clinical Hospital," Iași, Romania, between 2011 and 2023. Demographic data, type, and location of tumors were collected from the patients' medical records. Patients underwent detailed neuropsychological evaluations to identify psychiatric manifestations. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the prevalence of these manifestations and the correlations between tumor location and the severity of psychiatric symptoms. Our results show a significant prevalence of psychiatric disorders among patients with brain tumors, with notable differences between genders and types of manifestations. Organic personality disorders and mixed anxiety and depression disorders were among the most common. Additionally, a correlation was observed between the location of tumors in the frontal lobe and the severity of psychiatric symptoms. Conclusions: The research highlights the increased frequency of psychiatric symptoms in patients with brain tumors, especially when the tumor is located in the frontal lobe. These observations emphasize the relevance of a multidisciplinary approach in the management and treatment of these patients, including both cancer therapy and psychiatric support services.