[Patients' view of melanoma follow-up].
BACKGROUND
About 20% of melanoma patients develop progressive disease during follow-up. This is an alarming number for the patients. In view of new recommendations for melanoma follow-up, this study assesses the performance and quality of follow-up as perceived by the patients.


METHODS
A questionnaire was distributed to 462 patients with melanoma being followed in the skin cancer units of the universities of Cologne and Münster. Follow-up was based on recommendations published in 1994 by Malignant Melanoma Committee of the German Dermatological Society.


RESULTS
Follow-up was regularly performed. In Münster, 62% patients were seen in the university clinic, while in Cologne 53% of patients were followed jointly by the university clinic and practicing dermatologists. Radiological examinations were regularly repeated in 70% of the collective. 70% of patients reported performing self-examinations. 14% had developed progressive disease. 15% made use of psycho-social help.


CONCLUSIONS
The questionnaire reveals that the interdisciplinary follow-up and self-examinations proposed in the new recommendations are already well accepted. Based on latest standards, 90% of the patients felt that follow-up was reassuring. Psychosocial services should be offered more directly with emphasis on both social services and psychological support. Systematic patient inquiries can be used to establish quality standards for follow-up which are more patient-oriented.
Nashan
Dorothée
D
Hautklinik der Universität Münster. nashan@uni-muenster.de
Kirschner
Franz
F
Strittmatter
Gerhard
G
Hirche
Frank
F
Hensen
Peter
P
Loquai
Carmen
C
Mauch
Cornelia
C
D000359:Aftercare / Q000592:standards; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires