An update on quality of life in malignant melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers

Abstract

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are more common than malignant melanoma. It is expected that the incidence of skin cancer will increase in the future. Although the mortality rate is low, cancer wording can be frightening for patients. Because skin cancers are most commonly located in the head and neck, unwanted cosmetic consequences can occur as a result of treatments. Therefore, the quality of life (QOL) of patients could be affected negatively. Today, there are various scales that assess the QOL of patients. These can be grouped as general, disease-specific, and cancer-specific questionnaires. Studies have been carried out and are still in progress to develop scales of QOL specific to skin cancers. In this paper, the questionnaires used in malignant melanoma and/or NMSCs and studies on this subject are reviewed.