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 an 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.

Body image and awareness in patients with advanced-stage melanoma.

Background: Body image (BI) is a very important aspect to be taken care of, especially in cancer patients.

Methods: We administered the Body Image Scales, with a specifically created semi-structured questionnaire which includes items that investigate the level of awareness and the degree of acceptance of the disease of the patient, was administered to patients giving their written informed consent to participate to the study.

Results: The results show that our population sample got an average score of 17.