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Soo Park, MD
Soo Park, MD
Posted: Friday, October 25, 2024
High-frequency ultrasonography allows for a one-step surgery strategy and may provide medical reassurance to patients with primary cutaneous melanoma, according to Laurent Machet, MD, PhD, of the University of Tours, France, and colleagues. In fact, this patient population preferred a one-step surgery guided by high-frequency ultrasonography, since it was considered more pragmatic, less time-consuming, and less invasive than standard two-step surgery. The findings of this exploratory qualitative study were published in the journal Acta Dermato-Venereologica (ActaDV).
“Our study emphasizes the importance of patient-centered care associated with effective patient-physician communication providing informed choices,” stated the study investigators. “These insights can guide improved preoperative consultations and enhance shared decision-making between health-care professionals and patients regarding melanoma treatment strategies.”
Patients with a sufficiently suspicious lesion or partial biopsy-proven cutaneous melanoma (n = 16) or previous two-step surgery (n = 5) were interviewed within 7 months of final diagnosis at the University Hospital Centre of Tours. Patients in the first group received a preoperative consultation with a dermatologist, who discussed surgical options and informed patients they could choose between a one- or two-step surgery. Patients in the second group had a postoperative consultation and were asked whether they would have preferred a one- or two-step surgery if given the option.
Themes that emerged from patient interviews centered around understanding the diagnosis, considering personal factors in treatment decisions, making choices, being reassured by high-frequency ultrasonography, and feeling satisfied with the process. Patients reported an overall positive satisfaction level with the experience, and 95% preferred the one-step procedure because of personal aversions to surgery. Satisfaction with surgical outcomes was associated with the overall care experience.
Disclosure: The study authors reported no conflicts of interest.
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