Quality of life in localised malignant melanoma

Abstract

Background: The incidence of melanoma is still increasing in fair-skinned populations. At least 80% of patients have localised disease and expect a 5-year relative survival of >90%. Patients and methods: In 2003-2004, disease-free patients with localised melanoma were recruited from the Munich Cancer Registry to answer quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaires 2 years after treatment. Results: A response rate of 72% was achieved from a total of 1085 distributed questionnaires. Hundred and seventeen questionnaires had to be excluded because of updated information about secondary tumour and progression events. Thus, questionnaires from 664 patients were evaluated. QoL scores in melanoma patients were essentially similar to those of a general population. Differences were detected between women and men concerning emotional and sexual functioning. Age and number of comorbidities were the strongest factors influencing most all aspects of QoL. Fifty percent of patients referred to deficits in communication with their doctors. Conclusions: Patients who overcome melanoma do not necessarily have a reduced QoL. Strategies used by these melanoma patients resulted in similar levels of coping as previous studies in comparable general populations. Nevertheless, doctor-patient communication was correlated with emotional and social functioning and should be emphasised in treatment and care of melanoma patients. © The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved.