Experience of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC) Mohs Surgery Project

Experience of Patients With Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck Undergoing Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery excises non-melanoma skin cancer tumors of the head and neck while preserving maximum healthy tissue, an advantageous characteristic when dealing with the cosmetic and functional cervifacial region. Yet, treatment can result in changes to function and appearance with effects on quality of life. This project uses Grounded Theory to explore the Mohs surgery experience of NMSC patients who have head and neck lesions through interview and observation of the surgical appointment.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Detailed Description

Mohs surgery offers significant benefits in excising NMSC tumors of the head and neck by precisely removing cancerous tissue while preserving the maximum amount of healthy tissue, a characteristic of particular advantage when dealing with NMSC in the highly cosmetic and functional cericofacial region. Despite this, few studies have explored the patient perspective on their experience with Mohs surgery. Futhermore, treatment for NMSC can result in scarring, disfigurement, and changes to function and appearance. Ramifications on identity and self, embodiment and aesthetics, interaction and relationships appear likely and consequences on function and quality of life might then follow. Using Grounded Theory, this project aims to explore the question "what is the experience of Mohs surgery for non-melanoma skin cancer patients who have lesions of the head and neck?" Potential patient participants are those diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer, who have undergone Mohs surgery or are scheduled to undergo Mohs surgery on skin located in any area above the shoulders, and are referred to the project by their surgeons. They will represent a range of disease, from those who have had a single Mohs surgery to those with recurrent NMSC and repeated Mohs. Patients will also read and speak English and be at least 18 years of age. Transcribed interviews and field notes will be analyzed using constant comparative technique to develop descriptive and theoretical understandings of how experience Mohs surgery for non-melanoma skin cancer of the head and nexk.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

16

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Pennsylvania
      • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
        • Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This study involves non-melanoma skin cancer patients who have undergone or are about to undergo Mohs surgery, who are treated within the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patient participants must have an upcoming Mohs surgery scheduled or have already undergone Mohs surgery within the University of Pennsylvania Health System.
  • All participants must read and speak English.
  • For those patient participants with communication impairments due to surgery and treatment, accomodations for alternate methods of communication, including typing responses to the interview guide into a laptop computer or writing responses with a pen on paper, will be provided.
  • Both male and female
  • Must read and speak English
  • Be over the age 18 and able to give consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • This study excludes patients and their partners who are incapacitated or not old enough to give consent, more specifically those under the age of 18.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Single Retrospective Interviews
Each retrospective interview will be conducted by the Principal Investigator and/or Project Manager to collect denmographic information and experiential narratives from the patient, using open-ended questions and structured probes based on individual responses. Retrospective interviews will be recorded and scheduled at the patients' convenience either in the clinic, at the home, or at a place that is convenient to them.
Prospective Observations
Prospective Observations of clinic visits will be combined with informal interview to document conversations with their treating physicians about concerns emerging from appearance, function, and other factors that may impinge on clinical decision making and experience including quality of life. The Project Manager will be present for the clinical visit during which the Mohs surgery takes place and record field observations as well as informal interview notes in a notebook.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Number of Adverse Events

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Sarah Kagan, PhD, RN, Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

July 1, 2011

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2013

Study Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 13, 2011

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 14, 2011

First Posted (Estimate)

October 17, 2011

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

March 19, 2015

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 18, 2015

Last Verified

March 1, 2015

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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