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

Skoda EM, Jansen C, Peltz L, Schweda A, Teufel M, Livingstone E, Zimmer L, Forschner A, Reitmajer M, Erdmann M, Susok L, Rompel R, Debus D, Peitsch WK, Garza Vazquez X, Raguz J, Harth W, Grabbe S, Meier F, Kaminski K, Tagari E, Schober K, Schadendorf D (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

EJC Skin Cancer Elsevier

Book Volume: 3

Article Number: 100754

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcskn.2025.100754

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.

Authors with CRIS profile

Michael Erdmann Department of Dermatology

Involved external institutions

Universität Duisburg-Essen (UDE) DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Essen DE Germany (DE) Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen DE Germany (DE) Klinikum Dortmund DE Germany (DE) Klinikum Kassel GmbH DE Germany (DE) Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden DE Germany (DE) Novartis AG CH Switzerland (CH) Klinikum Nürnberg DE Germany (DE) Vivantes - Netzwerk für Gesundheit GmbH DE Germany (DE) Klinikum der Universität München (LMU Klinikum) DE Germany (DE) Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Skoda, E.M., Jansen, C., Peltz, L., Schweda, A., Teufel, M., Livingstone, E.,... Schadendorf, D. (2025). Needs, distress, state-of-health and quality-of-life in survivors of stage III melanoma: Results from the cross-sectional MESSAGE study. EJC Skin Cancer, 3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejcskn.2025.100754

MLA:

Skoda, E. M., et al. "Needs, distress, state-of-health and quality-of-life in survivors of stage III melanoma: Results from the cross-sectional MESSAGE study." EJC Skin Cancer 3 (2025).

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