Nonmelanoma skin cancer: disease-specific quality-of-life concerns and distress.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To provide a better understanding of the disease-specific quality-of-life (QOL) concerns of patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Skin cancer clinic of Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. SAMPLE: 56 patients with basal cell carcinoma and/or squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Descriptive and inferential statistics applied to quantitative self-report data. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Importance of appearance, psychological distress, and QOL. FINDINGS: The most prevalent concerns included worries about tumor recurrence, as well as the potential size and conspicuousness of the scar. Skin cancer-specific QOL concerns significantly predicted distress manifested through anxious and depressive symptomology. In addition, the social concerns related to the disease were the most significant predictor of distress. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study provide healthcare professionals with a broad picture of the most prevalent NMSC-specific concerns, as well as the concerns that are of particular importance for different subgroups of patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses are in a position to provide pivotal psychosocial and informational support to patients, so they need to be aware of the often-overlooked psychosocial effects of NMSC to address these issues and provide optimal care.

Topical photodynamic therapy: an introduction for nurses.

Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common cancers in the UK. Although an estimated 50000 cases were registered in 1999 across England and Wales, there is likely to be significant under-reporting of cases. However, the cancer registries do not include pre-cancerous lesions of the skin and therefore the number treated will greatly outnumber the cancers (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2006). Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of several effective treatments for pre-malignant and malignant non-pigmented skin cancers. The treatment is non-invasive and can be administered by nurses in a clinical setting. PDT is a two-step process involving the application of a light-activated substance followed by exposure to light to activate this substance. The treatment results in the elimination of tumour cells while leaving the healthy skin unharmed. This article provides an introduction to PDT for nurses who may in the future be involved in setting up a PDT service within their practice area.

Improving diagnosis of malignant leg ulcers in the community.

Over 80% of all leg ulcer patients are cared for in the community by district and practice nurses, or by a relative who may or may not be adequately instructed or supervised. Many patients have never been referred for a specialist opinion, although their ulcers have been in existence for many years. This article discusses the current lack of community leg ulcer nurse specialists who could perform biopsies on non-healing wounds and thus reduce the amount of unnecessary hospital referrals. In turn this would speed referral times to hospital of patients with malignant leg ulcers.

Wound assessment and evaluation.

The "Wound Assessment and Evaluation" series includes a short case presentation and differential diagnosis. It is followed by a discussion of the disease or condition and the rationale used in each step of the assessment.

Surgical treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most common human malignancy. An estimated 2.75 million patients worldwide are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, with more than one million in the United States alone. Treatment for skin cancer includes methods such as cryosurgery, curettage and electrodessication, local excision, and Mohs micrographic surgery. Regardless of the method used, the goal is to provide the patient with the safest, most cost-effective and curative treatment.

Mohs' micrographic surgery: an overview.

Microscopic control of surgical margins has made Mohs' micrographic surgery an increasingly appealing option for patients with large, recurrent, or difficult-to-treat basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas who require precise and effective surgical management. Understanding the pre-, peri-, and postoperative considerations in Mohs' surgery will help dermatology nurses better prepare and educate patients who undergo this procedure.

Periorbital skin cancers.

Mohs surgery is an excellent treatment for removal of periorbital skin cancers. Important structures and surrounding tissue may be preserved with this technique.

Radiation therapy in the management of skin cancers.

Radiation therapy plays a major role in the management of skin cancers. This article presents an overview of nonmelanoma skin cancer. A brief explanation of the mechanisms of action of radiation is provided. Side effects and related nursing management are discussed.