Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
07:07
A Melanoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Model
Published on: May 20, 2019
Coping strategies in melanoma patients
Michael Trapp1, Eva-Maria Trapp, Erika Richtig
1Research Unit of Behavioural Medicine, Health Psychology and Empirical Psychosomatics, Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica
|July 10, 2012
Summary
Patients with malignant melanoma (MM) exhibit distinct coping behaviors compared to those with benign skin conditions. Specific coping strategies, like situation control, can predict melanoma diagnosis and thickness, suggesting potential for early psychological interventions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Dermatology
- Oncology
Background:
- Coping behaviors may differ between patients with malignant melanoma (MM) and benign dermatological diseases.
- Understanding these differences could aid in early diagnosis and psychological support for MM patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if coping strategies predict malignant melanoma diagnosis.
- To explore associations between coping mechanisms and melanoma thickness.
Main Methods:
- An observational, questionnaire-based study involving 46 inpatients undergoing surgery.
- Used the German version of the stress-coping questionnaire (SVF 120).
- Compared coping strategies between non-metastatic MM patients and benign dermatological disease controls.
Main Results:
- Higher "situation control" decreased melanoma risk (p=0.007).
- Increased "resignation" (p=0.035) and "trivialisation" (p=0.039) elevated melanoma risk.
- Positive coping strategies correlated with reduced risk of thicker melanomas (>1 mm) (p<0.34).
Conclusions:
- Coping behaviors differ significantly between MM patients and controls, and even among MM patients with varying tumor thickness.
- These findings suggest that psychological interventions targeting coping strategies may benefit MM patients, even at early stages.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Coping Strategies: Problem Focused
Coping strategies are methods people use to manage, tolerate, or reduce the effects of stressors. These strategies involve both behavioral and psychological actions to handle stressful situations. One common approach is problem-focused coping, which aims to change or eliminate the source of stress rather than merely addressing its consequences. This method involves taking direct action to resolve the issue causing stress.
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...
01:20Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
Emotion-focused coping refers to a set of strategies aimed at managing the emotional impact of stressors, rather than directly addressing their causes. This approach involves altering one's emotional response to stressful situations to reduce their psychological effects. For example, individuals might talk with a friend or engage in activities like journaling to express their feelings. Such actions can help achieve emotional clarity or release, providing the psychological stability needed to...
01:30Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...