Eleonora Campolmi1, Margherita Riccio2, Bernardo Carli2, Giovanni Bacci3, Maria S Pino4,5, Sara Fortunato2, Susanna Gunnella2, Luisa Fioretto4,5, Lorenzo Borgognoni5,6, Nicola Pimpinelli2. 1. Unit of Melanoma and Skin Cancer, Division of Dermatology, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, Tuscany Center Health District, University of Florence, Florence, Italy - e.campolmi@gmail.com. 2. Unit of Melanoma and Skin Cancer, Division of Dermatology, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, Tuscany Center Health District, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. 3. Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. 4. Unit of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy. 5. Unit of Melanoma and Skin Cancer, Tuscany Center Health District, Florence, Italy. 6. Unit of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to consider the distressing impact of the diagnosis in a group of patients with metastatic melanoma, and the effects it could have on the quality of life of the patients. METHODS: We proposed an Impact Event Scale (IES-R) to a group of 31 patients. The patients were positive to the distress thermometer (DS) and accepted the psychological support. After six months from the start of the treatment we made a semi-structured interview of 10 multiple choice questions. RESULTS: Sixty-five per cent of women and 50% of men report that all the event related to the disease, cause emotions that recall the disease. Eighty-two per cent of women compared to 50% of men, report that the thought of their medical condition tends to affect their quality of sleep; the patients report feelings of anger and irritation (41% of the women and 78% of the men). CONCLUSIONS: The traumatic aspects following the diagnosis of melanoma burst powerfully into the life of these patients, who show different reactions, also according to gender.
BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to consider the distressing impact of the diagnosis in a group of patients with metastatic melanoma, and the effects it could have on the quality of life of the patients. METHODS: We proposed an Impact Event Scale (IES-R) to a group of 31 patients. The patients were positive to the distress thermometer (DS) and accepted the psychological support. After six months from the start of the treatment we made a semi-structured interview of 10 multiple choice questions. RESULTS: Sixty-five per cent of women and 50% of men report that all the event related to the disease, cause emotions that recall the disease. Eighty-two per cent of women compared to 50% of men, report that the thought of their medical condition tends to affect their quality of sleep; the patients report feelings of anger and irritation (41% of the women and 78% of the men). CONCLUSIONS: The traumatic aspects following the diagnosis of melanoma burst powerfully into the life of these patients, who show different reactions, also according to gender.