The impact of diagnosis and plaque radiotherapy treatment of malignant choroidal melanoma on patients' quality of life.

Quality of life (QOL) has become an important outcome criterion of medical interventions, but the impact of diagnosis and radiotherapy on QOL in patients with malignant choroidal melanoma (MCM) has rarely been studied. Inventories covering global (SF-36) and disease-specific QOL (NEI-VFQ), mental distress (SCL-90-R), and social support (K-22, German) were applied to a consecutive sample of MCM-patients scheduled for plaque radiotherapy. Data were gathered preoperatively (t(0)) and 3 months postoperatively (t(1), except for the K-22, which was applied at t(0) only). Fifty-four patients took part in both surveys, the number of patients with visual impairment increased from 21 preoperatively to 34 postoperatively. Global QOL of MCM-patients was significantly reduced compared to the healthy norm and other ophthalmological patients both at t(0) and t(1). Clinically relevant distress was present in every second patient at t(0) and every third patient at t(1), social support was not impaired. Global and disease-specific QOL declined significantly from t(1) to t(0). The MCM diagnosis compromises QOL, which is additionally impaired by radiotherapy. Regular QOL assessment can help to identify patients at risk, facilitate provision of psychosocial treatment and may thus improve patient satisfaction. Copyright 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.