The impact of generalized malignant melanoma on quality of life evaluated by the EORTC questionnaire technique

Eighty-nine patients with generalized malignant melanoma, 63% men and median age 53 years, were included in a longitudinal quality of life (QOL) study before the start of chemotherapy. QOL was assessed by the EORTC core questionnaire technique (QLQ-C36), a study-specific melanoma (MM) module and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale. The questionnaires displayed good psychometric qualities and were able to document the florid symptomatology of disseminated melanoma. They were well accepted by the patients. Before treatment the patients reported a relatively low symptom burden, good physical and social functioning, moderate psychological distress and a high overall QOL rating during the past week. Fatigue and pain were the most frequent symptoms reported. The QOL measurement differentiated between subgroups of patients differing in performance status and the tumour burden. We conclude that the EORTC questionnaire technique is feasible and clinically relevant in generalized malignant melanoma patients.