Needs, distress, state-of-health and quality-of-life in survivors of stage III melanoma: Results from the cross-sectional MESSAGE study

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • E. M. Skoda - , LVR-Universitätsklinik Essen , Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen (Autor:in)
  • C. Jansen - , LVR-Universitätsklinik Essen (Autor:in)
  • L. Peltz - , LVR-Universitätsklinik Essen (Autor:in)
  • A. Schweda - , LVR-Universitätsklinik Essen (Autor:in)
  • M. Teufel - , LVR-Universitätsklinik Essen (Autor:in)
  • E. Livingstone - , Universitätsklinikum Essen (Autor:in)
  • L. Zimmer - , Universitätsklinikum Essen (Autor:in)
  • A. Forschner - , Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (Autor:in)
  • M. Reitmajer - , Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (Autor:in)
  • M. Erdmann - , Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (Autor:in)
  • L. Susok - , Klinikum Dortmund gGmbH (Autor:in)
  • R. Rompel - , Klinikum Kassel GmbH (Autor:in)
  • D. Debus - , Klinikum Nürnberg (Autor:in)
  • W. K. Peitsch - , Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain (Autor:in)
  • X. Garza Vazquez - , Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) (Autor:in)
  • J. Raguz - , Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe gGmbH (Autor:in)
  • W. Harth - , Vivantes Klinikum Spandau (Autor:in)
  • S. Grabbe - , Universitätsmedizin Mainz (Autor:in)
  • F. Meier - , Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Autor:in)
  • K. Kaminski - , Universitätsklinikum Essen (Autor:in)
  • E. Tagari - , Novartis Pharma GmbH (Autor:in)
  • K. Schober - , Novartis Pharma GmbH (Autor:in)
  • D. Schadendorf - , Universitätsklinikum Essen (Autor:in)

Abstract

Background: Existing population-based data lack information on patient-reported-outcomes (PROs) in long-term melanoma survivors with stage III disease. We therefore initiated a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study in stage III melanoma patients with no evidence of disease after prior surgery ± adjuvant therapy to assess health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL), psychological distress and disease-related needs and support demands across skin cancer centres in Germany. Methods: A 106-items-survey using established (EORTC QLQ-C-30) and novel melanoma-specific (EMQoLI) scales for HRQoL, for distress (NCCN distress thermometer, PHQ-4) and for supportive care needs (SCNS-SF34-G) collected PRO. Patients were recruited via printed flyers and via the largest German online self-help group for melanoma-patients. The survey was conducted online and accessible through a centre-specific QR code on mobile devices. Results: The study collected 502 completed questionnaires, with 476 fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Median age of survivors with no evidence of disease was 59 years, with a gender split of 50 %. Mean time from initial diagnosis was 4.43 years (95 % confidence interval 4.25–4.61). HRQoL instruments indicated a good general health status; with disease burden being the predominant impairment in stage III melanoma survivors. Despite moderate psychological and daily disease burden, patients’ needs were generally met by the support and care they received. A melanoma stage I control group comprised 34 additional patients. Discussion: This first large-scale investigation of needs, distress, health status, and HRQoL in patients with stage III melanoma in skin cancer centres across Germany shows that good HRQoL and satisfactory healthcare support are reported despite moderate distress and the daily burden of the disease.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer100754
Seitenumfang12
FachzeitschriftEJC Skin Cancer
Jahrgang3
Frühes Online-Datum17 Sept. 2025
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 2025
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-4340-9706/work/204618299

Schlagworte

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Schlagwörter

  • Health-related quality-of-life, Melanoma, Psycho-oncology, Psychological distress, Stage III, Survivorship care