Biswas MS, Mawa MJ. Navigating the emotional burden: Addressing anxiety and depression across stages of hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(1): 113377 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i1.113377]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Mohammad Shahangir Biswas, PhD, Associate Professor, Postdoc, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology Chittagong, Foy’s Lake, Zakir Hossain Road, Khulshi, Chittagong 4202, Bangladesh. bioshahangir@gmail.com
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Oncology
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Editorial
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Jan 19, 2026 (publication date) through Dec 31, 2025
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World Journal of Psychiatry
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2220-3206
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Biswas MS, Mawa MJ. Navigating the emotional burden: Addressing anxiety and depression across stages of hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies. World J Psychiatry 2026; 16(1): 113377 [DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i1.113377]
World J Psychiatry. Jan 19, 2026; 16(1): 113377 Published online Jan 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i1.113377
Navigating the emotional burden: Addressing anxiety and depression across stages of hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies
Mohammad Shahangir Biswas, Mosammat Jannatul Mawa
Mohammad Shahangir Biswas, Mosammat Jannatul Mawa, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology Chittagong, Chittagong 4202, Bangladesh
Mohammad Shahangir Biswas, Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh
Author contributions: Biswas MS conceptualized and designed the research; Biswas MS and Mawa MJ performed the literature search and wrote the original manuscript; Biswas MS edited the final manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Mohammad Shahangir Biswas, PhD, Associate Professor, Postdoc, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology Chittagong, Foy’s Lake, Zakir Hossain Road, Khulshi, Chittagong 4202, Bangladesh. bioshahangir@gmail.com
Received: August 25, 2025 Revised: September 21, 2025 Accepted: November 6, 2025 Published online: January 19, 2026 Processing time: 130 Days and 6.3 Hours
Abstract
In this editorial, we comment on the study of the Yu et al on psychological distress in patients with hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies. Hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies include hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder cancer and pancreatic cancer. These cancers are among the most aggressive and difficult to treat. Although improvements in surgery, drug treatments and palliative care have led to better survival rates and quality of life, the significant psychological impact on patients remains underrecognized. Anxiety and depression are prevalent at every stage of the disease, from the initial diagnosis to treatment, recurrence and end-of-life care. However, these issues often take a backseat to the urgent need to manage physical symptoms. Mental health challenges can greatly affect how well patients follow treatment plans, recover and their overall outlook. Yu et al explore the causes of psychological distress in hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers, including disease severity, symptom burden, financial stress and fears about life and death. We highlight the importance of regular mental health screenings, psychological support and teamwork in oncology care. By focusing on emotional health alongside physical treatment, doctors can build resilience, improve outcomes and address a frequently ignored aspect of cancer care.
Core Tip: Patients with pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancers frequently suffer from severe physical symptoms, alongside several psychological problems, such as depression and anxiety, which have a significant impact on patients’ treatment and their families. This article explores the importance of routine psychological screening, caregiver support and integrated psycho-oncology approaches as fundamental components of comprehensive cancer care. Addressing these neglected burdens can improve quality of life and treatment outcomes.
