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[Patients' view of melanoma follow-up].

BACKGROUND
About 20% of melanoma patients develop progressive disease during follow-up. This is an alarming number for the patients. In view of new recommendations for melanoma follow-up, this study assesses the performance and quality of follow-up as perceived by the patients.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
A questionnaire was distributed to 462 patients with melanoma being followed in the skin cancer units of the universities of Cologne and Münster. Follow-up was based on recommendations published in 1994 by Malignant Melanoma Committee of the German Dermatological Society.


RESULTS
Follow-up was regularly performed. In Münster, 62% patients were seen in the university clinic, while in Cologne 53% of patients were followed jointly by the university clinic and practicing dermatologists. Radiological examinations were regularly repeated in 70% of the collective. 70% of patients reported performing self-examinations. 14% had developed progressive disease. 15% made use of psycho-social help.


CONCLUSIONS
The questionnaire reveals that the interdisciplinary follow-up and self-examinations proposed in the new recommendations are already well accepted. Based on latest standards, 90% of the patients felt that follow-up was reassuring. Psychosocial services should be offered more directly with emphasis on both social services and psychological support. Systematic patient inquiries can be used to establish quality standards for follow-up which are more patient-oriented.