Fear of disease recurrence in postoperative craniopharyngioma patients: status, influencing factors, and associations with social support and coping strategies.

This prospective observational study aimed to investigate the status of social support and fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), as well as the influencing factors, in patients after craniopharyngioma surgery. A total of 168 postoperative craniopharyngioma patients were enrolled using questionnaire survey, including general data questionnaire, Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Fear of Progression Questionnaire Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ). The mean FCR score was 39.54±8.65, and 71.43% (120/168) of patients had clinically significant FCR (score ≥34). Univariate analysis showed that FCR was associated with education level, employment status, family history of tumors, symptom distress, personality traits, and chronic comorbidities (P<0.05). Multiple linear regression indicated that education level (β = -1.126, P<0.001), symptom distress (β = -2.661, P = 0.021), personality orientation (β = 3.153, P<0.001), and resignation coping strategy (β = 1.042, P<0.001) were independent predictors of FCR. FCR is prevalent in patients with postoperative craniopharyngioma and is independently affected by education level, symptom distress, personality traits, and negative coping strategies. Targeted psychological interventions should be provided to improve mental health and prognosis.