Gender Differences in Quality of Life and Psycho‐Oncological Needs During the First Year After Melanoma Diagnosis

ABSTRACT Objective This study investigated the course of general well‐being and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in working‐age melanoma patients during the first year following diagnosis. It also examines the use of psycho‐oncological counseling and rehabilitation, and their impact on QoL. Methods Patients aged 18–65 years with stage 0 to IIIC melanoma were eligible for this single‐center, prospective cohort study. Following informed consent, clinical data and data on general well‐being (WHO‐5), HRQoL (FACT‐M) and need for psycho‐oncological care (Hornheider Screening Instrument) were collected at baseline and every three months over one year. Results We included 221 melanoma patients (median age 51, range 19–65, 62% female). At baseline, 79% had melanoma stage IB or lower. After one year, 9% had progressed. 38% of patients showed a WHO‐5 score below 52% following diagnosis, regardless of tumor stage. Women with stage 0 to IIA melanoma had significantly lower HRQoL in the first six months than men ( p  = 0.010), and a higher need for psychological support ( p  < 0.001). There was considerable variability in QoL trajectories both within individuals (median variation 11%) and across patients. In general, 52% needed psycho‐oncological care at baseline, but neither counseling (24%) nor rehabilitation (18%) resulted in significant improvements in QoL over the year. Conclusions Melanoma diagnosis leads to a marked QoL reduction, particularly in lower stage women, with most patients improving over time. However, substantial intra‐individual variation emphasizes the need for regular QoL assessments. Further research is needed to assess the long‐term effectiveness of psycho‐oncological support and rehabilitation. Trial Registration German Clinical Trials Register No. DRKS00010005, 08. March 2016