Melanoma diagnosis: traumatic impact of the event on the patient.

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 a 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: Sixtyfive (65) % women and 50% men report that all the event related to the disease, cause emotions that recall the disease. Eightytwo (82) % women, compared to 50% 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.