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Advancing Psycho-Oncology: Multidimensional Approaches and Challenges to Cancer Care
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Advancing Psycho-Oncology: Multidimensional Approaches and Challenges to Cancer Care

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2026 | Viewed by 5035

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Benedetta Muzii

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
Interests: clinical health psychology; psychological adjustment; illness experience; relational resources; psychological intervention
Prof. Dr. Nelson Mauro Maldonato

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples “Federico II”; Program of Clinical Psychopathology, AOU Federico II University Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy
Interests: psychopathology; personality disorders; neural correlates of consciousness; medical decision-making
Dr. Andrea Bovero

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin; Clinical Psychology Unit, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy
Interests: palliative care; dignity care; psychotherapy; spirituality; existential distress; end of care; cancer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Research on the experience of oncological diagnoses and treatments has consistently demonstrated a significant impact on psychological, social, behavioral, and emotional domains. Psycho-oncology plays a crucial role in addressing the burden faced by patients, families, and caregivers throughout the cancer journey, influencing health outcomes as well. From this perspective, emerging evidence shows that psychological distress not only affects mental health but also directly impacts treatment outcomes. For instance, recent studies on cancer immunotherapy have demonstrated that individuals experiencing emotional distress before treatment tend to have worse outcomes. Preventing psychological distress and addressing the mental health of cancer patients and their communities should be a priority, especially in response to the predicted exponential growth in cancer incidence by 2030, as forecasted by international scientific organizations. The primary focus should be on developing a unified and synergistic healthcare response that respects the complexity of the cancer experience, adapting efficient interventions to recover the life dimensions damaged by the illness, as well as facing the palliative stage and end of life. To fully develop the role of psycho-oncology in promoting well-being and enhancing treatment efficacy, a multidimensional approach is essential.

This Special Issue invites scholars to contribute to the debate on these domains by submitting research papers, longitudinal studies, and reviews, conducted through qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods.

Topics should relate, but are not limited, to the following thematic areas:

  1. Psychological, psychopharmacological, and social interventions in cancer care;
  2. Palliative care, end-of-life, and ethical issues;
  3. Caregiver support and family-centered approaches;
  4. Challenges in cancer survivorship: oncofertility, resilience, social reintegration, fear of recurrence, and aging;
  5. Pediatric psycho-oncology;
  6. Psychoneuroimmunology, stress management, and cancer progression/remission;
  7. Psycho-oncological interventions for patients and healthcare professionals;
  8. Promoting early cancer diagnosis and prevention campaigns.

We particularly encourage submissions that address disparities in access to psycho-oncological services, innovative research methodologies, and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Dr. Benedetta Muzii
Prof. Dr. Nelson Mauro Maldonato
Dr. Andrea Bovero
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • psycho-oncology
  • cancer care
  • adaptation process
  • illness experience
  • risk and protective factors
  • mental health care
  • oncofertility
  • palliative care
  • critical experience
  • prevention
  • qualitative and quantitative methods
  • quality of life
  • health behaviors

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 1282 KB  
Article
Living After Pelvic Exenteration: A Mixed-Methods Synthesis of Quality-of-Life Outcomes and Patient Perspectives
by Vlad Rotaru, Elena Chitoran, Aisa Gelal, Giuseppe Gullo, Daniela-Cristina Stefan and Laurentiu Simion
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(18), 6541; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14186541 - 17 Sep 2025
Viewed by 597
Abstract
Background/Objective: Pelvic exenteration (PE) is a radical procedure with significant physical and psychosocial consequences. Despite increasing survival rate following PE, quality of life (QoL) outcomes remain inconsistently reported and poorly understood in clinical practice. This study aims to explore: (1) What is [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: Pelvic exenteration (PE) is a radical procedure with significant physical and psychosocial consequences. Despite increasing survival rate following PE, quality of life (QoL) outcomes remain inconsistently reported and poorly understood in clinical practice. This study aims to explore: (1) What is the current evidence on QoL after pelvic exenterations? and (2) How do patient-reported experiences align with or differ from findings in the literature? Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods study consisting of two components: (1) a qualitative analysis of 5 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with patients who underwent PE for advanced pelvic cancers; and (2) a narrative review of 28 quantitative and qualitative studies evaluating QoL after PE, published between 1975 and 2023, encompassing 1149 patients. Thematic analysis was performed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Results: Qualitative findings revealed recurrent themes of identity disruption, social withdrawal, emotional resilience, and a need for personalized, preoperative information. Patients often described a mismatch between surgical expectations and lived experience, and expressed a strong desire for better psychological support and realistic communication. The review of published studies showed heterogeneous findings, with moderate recovery in global QoL scores by 6–12 months postoperatively, but persistent impairments in physical function, sexual health, and emotional well-being. Only a minority of studies included patient-reported outcomes tailored to specific domains such as body image or psychological adaptation (17.8%). Conclusions: Recovery after pelvic exenteration extends beyond physical healing and requires attention to emotional, social, and existential dimensions. Integrating psycho-oncologic support and patient-centered communication into standard care is essential. This hybrid analysis underscores the importance of addressing quality of life proactively—not only as an outcome, but as a fundamental component of survivorship care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Psycho-Oncology: Multidimensional Approaches and Challenges to Cancer Care)
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19 pages, 612 KB  
Article
The Degree of Acceptance of the Disease by Patients After a Diagnosis of Lung Cancer and Their Hope
by Agnieszka Waleczko, Bożena Baczewska, Beata Barańska, Maria Mielnik-Błaszczak and Krzysztof Leśniewski
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(12), 4356; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14124356 - 18 Jun 2025
Viewed by 563
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was twofold: first, to assess the extent to which patients diagnosed with lung cancer accept their condition and, second, to characterize the profiles and dimensions of the hope experienced by these patients. Methods: In order [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was twofold: first, to assess the extent to which patients diagnosed with lung cancer accept their condition and, second, to characterize the profiles and dimensions of the hope experienced by these patients. Methods: In order to achieve the aforementioned goals, the following research tools were utilized: the NCN-36 scale to examine hope, the AIS to ascertain the acceptance of one’s condition, and the KI scale to present socio-demographic–temperamental variables. Results: The patients exhibited an average level of acceptance of their disease while simultaneously demonstrating a high level of hope. Cluster analysis identified four groups of patients that differed significantly in terms of disease acceptance and felt hope (p < 0.001). Significantly higher acceptance of the disease was found in urban patients (p = 0.038) and those with higher education (p = 0.011), while lower acceptance was noted in those aged over 75 (p = 0.006). In turn, the experienced hope was influenced by variables such as age, place of residence, education, housing situation (living alone or with family), overall pace of activity, basic mood, and social and professional status. Conclusions: The researchers identified four distinct attitudes among the patients based on their disease-related experiences. These attitudes were categorized as follows: non-accepting–fearful, indifferent–desperate, non-accepting–fighting, and accepting–trusting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Psycho-Oncology: Multidimensional Approaches and Challenges to Cancer Care)
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13 pages, 717 KB  
Article
Stoma Acceptance Mediates Body Image Distress and Mental Health-Related Quality of Life: A Single-Center Study on Radical Cystectomy Patients with Ureterostomy
by Benedetta Muzii, Francesco Di Bello, Claudia Collà Ruvolo, Simone Morra, Federico Polverino, Colomba Pessolano, Massimiliano Creta, Gianluigi Califano, Gabriele Pezone, Francesco Mangiapia, Pierluigi Alvino, Nicola Longo and Nelson Mauro Maldonato
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(24), 7682; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13247682 - 17 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2898
Abstract
Background: Muscle-invasive bladder cancer and subsequent radical cystectomy with ureterocutaneostomy significantly impact patients’ body image and quality of life, potentially increasing the risk of adverse mental health outcomes. Acceptance may represent a psychosocial resource to buffer the effects of body image impairment on [...] Read more.
Background: Muscle-invasive bladder cancer and subsequent radical cystectomy with ureterocutaneostomy significantly impact patients’ body image and quality of life, potentially increasing the risk of adverse mental health outcomes. Acceptance may represent a psychosocial resource to buffer the effects of body image impairment on health, thereby supporting stoma adjustment and preserving quality of life. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of stoma acceptance in the relationship between body image distress and mental health. Methods: A single-center cross-sectional survey was conducted with 73 muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients undergoing radical cystectomy with ureterocutaneostomy. Participants completed structured, anonymous self-report measures assessing body image distress, stoma acceptance, and mental health-related quality of life through validated questionnaires. Results: Statistical analyses revealed significant negative correlations between body image distress and mental health and stoma acceptance. Conversely, stoma acceptance was significantly and positively associated with mental health. Regression-based mediation modeling indicated that stoma acceptance exerted a significant mediating effect on the relationship between body image and mental health-related quality of life. Conclusions: These findings highlight the considerable and unprecedented role of stoma acceptance as a mediating factor that may promote the adjustment and enhance the quality of life of urostomy patients. Further research is warranted to explore interventions targeting stoma acceptance to prevent body image distress and promote mental health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Psycho-Oncology: Multidimensional Approaches and Challenges to Cancer Care)
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