Comparison of quality of life between melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer patients

Background: The impact of skin cancers on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is often overlooked, and direct comparisons between melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) are rare. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare HRQoL in patients with melanoma and NMSC. Materials and Methods: Participants were unselected, consecutive adult patients with a diagnosis of melanoma at the time of wide excision, or NMSC at the time of surgery. HRQoL was measured using the two scales of Skindex-17. The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to identify patients with possible anxiety or depression. Results: The study population included 433 patients: 65 with melanoma and 368 with NMSC. Skindex-17 symptom mean scores were higher in NMSC than in melanoma patients. Melanoma patients had significantly higher scores for the item "feeling depressed". The percentage of GHQ-12 cases (with possible non-psychotic, minor psychiatric disorders) was significantly higher in patients with melanoma (32.8%) compared to NMSC patients (8.7%). Conclusion: NMSC places a greater burden of symptoms on patients than melanoma, while the psychological impact of melanoma is higher.