Quality of life is a predictor of survival in high-risk melanoma patients

This study examined how quality of life (QOL) affects survival and the risk of recurrence in high-risk melanoma patients.

Maintaining QOL is a crucial goal in the treatment of cancer patients. QOL can be measured in many ways, including specific factors such as appetite and fatigue. QOL also refers to broader terms such as a role functioning, which reflects patient’s satisfaction in their ability to fulfill a specific role (for example as a spouse, a parent, and/or an efficient worker). Assessing QOL can potentially predict a patient’s level of illness and likelihood of survival. Indeed, previous studies have shown that QOL is linked to survival in certain cancer types. However, the relationship between QOL and survival of high-risk melanoma has not yet been investigated.

Researchers compared 785 patients with stage IIB, IIC or III melanoma. All patients received surgery to remove the melanoma and completed a QOL questionnaire before receiving additional treatments.

QOL and role functioning were shown to be related to other prognostic factors such as tumor thickness, stage, and the number of involved lymph nodes. Even after accounting for these factors, High QOL and role functioning was still significantly associated with prolonged survival. Time to failure of treatment (the time between treatment and until the disease returns or progresses) also showed significant associations with QOL and role functioning even when adjusted for other prognostic factors.

Role functioning was shown as an accurate predictor of survival and time to failure of treatment among high-risk melanoma patients.

Consult with your physician on how to improve quality of life during and after cancer treatments.