Abstract
Background: Acral melanoma (AM) and mucosal melanoma (MM) are rare melanoma subtypes with poorer outcomes compared with the most common cutaneous melanoma (CM) subtype. Limited patient-centered research on quality of life (QOL) has been conducted in these rare melanomas. We characterized patient-reported physical and mental functioning among individuals enrolled in the Melanoma Research Alliance’s RARE Registry. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 230 registry participants (64 AM, 107 MM, 59 non-acral CM) who completed the Short Form-12 (SF-12); Physical (PCS) and Mental (MCS) Component Summary T-scores were categorized (≤ 1 SD, ± 1 SD, ≥ 1 SD) and compared with expected normative proportions. Differences in PCS and MCS T-scores among cohorts were assessed while controlling for demographic and health variables. Results: In AM and MM, PCS and MCS scores deviated significantly from normative expectations (p < .004), with more falling ≥ 1 SD below the US population mean. In CM, MCS but not PCS scores differed from expected norms (MCS: p < .001; PCS: p = .566). Unadjusted PCS scores were significantly lower in AM and MM compared to CM (p = .005), whereas MCS scores did not differ among cohorts (p = .172). Multiple clinical covariates were significant predictors of PCS and MCS scores. Conclusions: Participants with AM and MM report clinically meaningful differences in physical and mental QOL compared with population norms; CM participants showed normal physical but poor mental functioning. Routine screening for physical and mental functioning is recommended to identify unique patient needs. Early referral to appropriate supportive care may be warranted, independent of medical and global prognostic factors.
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