Abstract
PurposeThe impact of malignant melanoma (MM) on patients’ psychophysical well-being has been poorly addressed. We aimed to assess the perceived burden in patients with a diagnosis of MM, using two different tools, one generic and one specific for MM, such as Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure (PRISM) and Melanoma Concerns Questionnaire (MCQ-28), respectively. The correlation between PRISM and MCQ-28 subscales and the relevance of disease and patient-related variables were also investigated.MethodsThis single-centre, cross-sectional study included all adult consecutive MM patients who attended our Dermatology Unit from December 2020 to June 2021. Demographics and disease-related data were recorded. PRISM and MCQ-28 were administered.ResultsOne hundred and seventy-one patients were included (mean age: 59.5 ±14.9 years.; 48.0% males). Median time from MM diagnosis to inclusion was 36 months. Nearly 80% of the patients had in situ or stage I MM. Overall, 22.2% of the patients reported a PRISM score <100mm and similar percentages provided scores indicating impaired quality of life, as assessed with MCQ-28 subscales. A weak, albeit significant, correlation was found between PRISM scores and ACP, CON and SOC2 subscales. The most relevant association found was that between lower PRISM scores and higher-stage MM.ConclusionsIn the study population, mostly affected with superficial MM, their perception of the burden associated with MM did not appear either particularly dramatic or disabling. PRISM seems a reliable system for capturing and quantifying the domains correlated with the emotive dimension of MM, especially MM-related concerns and willingness to face life
Highlights
Malignant melanoma (MM) is the most aggressive skin cancer and is responsible for about 75% of deaths from skin tumors [1]
It is recognized that the extent of suffering and quality of life deterioration associated with illness is determined by several factors, which include both the direct effects of the disease itself and the perception that a subject has of his/her own state
A few questionnaires have been designed for use with MM patients, namely the Malignant Melanoma Module [13], the FACT-Melanoma (FACT-M) [14], the EORTC Melanoma Module (QLQ-MEL38) [15] and its revised version, the Melanoma Concerns Questionnaire (MCQ-28) [9]
Summary
Malignant melanoma (MM) is the most aggressive skin cancer and is responsible for about 75% of deaths from skin tumors [1]. Anxiety about an increased risk of MM development among relatives can further affect their health-related quality of life. For such patients, MM can be considered a chronic, hugely distressing disease [9]. To assess a disease burden and its impact on patients’ health may be extremely difficult. It is recognized that the extent of suffering and quality of life deterioration associated with illness is determined by several factors, which include both the direct effects of the disease itself and the perception that a subject has of his/her own state. The more a tool is able to identify the specific, critical issues of a certain disease, the more it fulfills its function of duly measuring the disease-related burden and suffering. The questionnaires developed by the EORTC appear suitable for the assessment and quantification of MM-related issues, which are grouped by domains [9, 15, 16]
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