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Reactions to and Desire for Prognostic Testing in Choroidal Melanoma Patients
Author(s) -
Beran Tammy M.,
McCannel Tara A.,
Stanton Annette L.,
Straatsma Bradley R.,
Burgess Barry L.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of genetic counseling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1573-3599
pISSN - 1059-7700
DOI - 10.1007/s10897-009-9223-2
Subject(s) - medicine , melanoma , choroidal melanoma , quality of life (healthcare) , oncology , test (biology) , receipt , paleontology , nursing , cancer research , biology , world wide web , computer science
To determine if choroidal melanoma patients want cytogenetic prognostic information. Ninety‐nine choroidal melanoma patients completed a questionnaire regarding their opinions about receiving prognostic information. The perceived usefulness of prognostic information was evaluated in patients who had undergone cytogenetic testing. Depressive symptoms, quality of life, and interest in supportive counseling during test receipt were assessed. Ninety‐seven percent of respondents reported that they would have wanted prognostic information at the time of their treatment and 98% of respondents reported that supportive counseling should be offered when prognostic information is given. Patients who had received a more favorable prognostic result were more likely to endorse the usefulness of cytogenetic testing than were patients who had received a less favorable prognostic result. Psychological status did not vary significantly as a function of cytogenetic test result. Prognostic information was important to patients with choroidal melanoma, even in the absence of prophylactic measures which might improve prognosis.