本研究旨在增加对头颈部癌症患者在癌症治疗前所使用的情绪和应对策略的了解，并探索他们在治疗后的症状和副作用方面的情绪和应对策略。此外，我们还旨在调查患者对接受治疗和支持的看法。在哥德堡大学萨尔格伦斯卡大学医院肿瘤科和口腔颌面外科，对10名头颈部癌症接受过放疗治疗的患者进行了半结构化深度访谈。采用定性内容分析方法对访谈内容进行了分析。结果显示出三个主题。第一个主题“癌症治疗前同时影响情绪的处理”描述了患者在被诊断为“害怕和担心”，“孤独和失望”，以及“宽慰和自信”后的经历，以及他们如何通过“积极心态”，“寻求支持”和“信任医疗系统”来处理诊断和治疗准备。第二个主题“变成自己的苍白影子的经历”描述了治疗后症状和副作用的体验。最后一个主题“癌症治疗后处理背景性影响的经历”显示了治疗后的情绪，包括“震惊和失望”以及“担忧和缺乏支持”，但也包括“感激和积极思考”，其中使用了“珍惜生活”，“社交网络”和“适应新生活”等策略。结果表明，需要更贴近患者的护理方法，包括更清晰的结构和改进的个体支持，无论是治疗前还是治疗后以及与康复相关。应考虑到患者在癌症治疗后的认知变化，并将其纳入到后期护理中，同时还应将适应情况和加强患者自我管理作为目标。© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.

This study aimed to increase the understanding of emotions and coping strategies used by head and neck cancer patients before cancer treatment, and to explore their emotions and coping strategies in relation to symptoms and side effects after treatment. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate the patients' perceptions of received treatment and support.Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 patients who had been treated for head and neck cancer, which included radiotherapy, at the Department of Oncology and the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg. The interviews were analyzed in accordance with the method for Qualitative Content Analysis.The result picture revealed three head themes. The first theme "Management of simultaneously influencing mind-sets before cancer treatment" described the patients experiences of feeling "Scared and worried," "Lonely and disappointed," and "Relieved and confident", and how they tried to handle the diagnosis and preparations for treatment by "Applying a positive mind-set", "Searching for support," and "Trusting the healthcare system". The second theme "Experiences of becoming a pale shadow of oneself", illustrated experiences of affecting post-treatment symptoms and side effects. To which, the last theme "Handling contextual influencing experiences after cancer treatment" displayed post-treatment emotions of being "Shocked and disappointed" and "Concerned and unsupported" but also "Grateful and forward-thinking", where strategies such as "Appreciating Life", "Networking socially," and "Adapting to the new life" were used.The results indicated the need for a more patient-centered care approach, with clearer structures and improved individual support both before and after treatment and in connection to rehabilitation. Patients' cognitive changes after cancer treatment should be considered in the aftercare, which should also include adaptation to situation and strengthening of patients' self-management as a goal.© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.