Sommariva A., Forsea AM., Agius D., Ascierto PA., Bastiaannet E., Borgognoni L., Demetriou A., Garbe C., Gavric Z., Hocevar M., Innos K., Larønningen S., Louwman M., Robsahm TE., Rutkwoski P., van Akkooi A., Zorzi M., Pasquali S., van de Velde C., Rossi CR.
Eur J Surg Oncol. 2018 Jul 3. pii: S0748-7983(18)31164-8.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
A significant disparity regarding survival outcome for melanoma among European regions is well recognized and access to high quality care for European melanoma patients needs to be improved. There is an unmet need for the implementation of minimal standard of care within defined clinical pathways and Quality Assurance (QA) indicators.
OBJECTIVE
The EU-MELACARE study aims to identify shared variables for cutaneous melanoma cases recorded in melanoma registries across Europe.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Opinion leaders involved in melanoma data registration and care quality analysis in 34 European countries were invited to respond to an expert survey covering questions regarding the melanoma registration practice in their countries and the characteristics, coverage and variables collected by the relevant melanoma registries.
RESULTS
Data regarding 13 melanoma registries from 11 European countries contributed to the study. The majority (61,5%) were population based registries and more than half (62%) had national coverage. The included registries collected a median of 38 variables (Interquartile Range, IRQ 21e76). We identified 24 shared variables available in >70% of registries.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides valuable specific information on information recorded for melanoma cases are registered within Europe. A core of shared variables has been identified, which will constitute the basis for a standardized set of QA indicators for assessing and monitoring melanoma care across European countries.
Pubmed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30001892