Exploring Patients' Perceptions of One-step Surgery for Primary Cutaneous Melanoma: A Qualitative Study.

ABSTRACT: High-frequency ultrasonography (> 20 MHz) has allowed for preoperative measurement of melanoma thickness and thus a one-step surgery strategy. The potential benefits of one-step surgery to patients remain unexplored. From June 2022 to August 2023, 2 dermatologists conducted semi-structured individual interviews with patients who had undergone HFUS examination allowing the choice for one-step surgery (group A) and with patients who had had standard two-step surgery (group B). Analysis of interviews with 21 patients (age range 31-81 years) revealed 5 main themes: (a) understanding the diagnosis, highlighting the significance of clear and comprehensive medical explanations; (b) personal factors considered in treatment decisions, including preferences for minimizing surgical procedures; (c) ma

SUBMITTER: Lim M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11439966 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature