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Cutaneous MelanomaNCT05253872

The MELAcare Study: A New Method for Surveillance of Melanoma Patients

A study testing The MelaCare intervention in people with Cutaneous Melanoma, run by Herlev and Gentofte Hospital at 1 site in Denmark.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate a new method of follow-up for patients with low and intermediate risk (stages IA-IIA) melanoma. The investigators will compare different tools for patient support and education combined with clinician supported skin self-examination (SSE) to the current standard-of-care. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Cutaneous Melanoma
What is being tested?
The MelaCare intervention
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
378 participants
Where
1 siteDenmark
Study dates
9 Mar 2022to Mar 2028
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Ability to read and understand Danish language
  • Willing and able to give written informed consent
  • Surgical treatment of a clinical stage IA-IIA melanoma within 3 months of inclusion

Who cannot join

  • Advanced melanoma, clinical stages IIB, IIC, III, or IV
  • Patients with high risk of a new primary melanoma (dysplastic nevus syndrome, or family history of melanoma)
  • History of melanoma skin cancer prior to the index diagnosis
  • Previous cancer, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer
  • Comorbidity that makes skin self-examination impossible (e.g. physical or mental disabilities, dementia or decreased cognitive function)
  • non-detection of sentinel node in IB and IIA patients

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Denmark1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Herlev and Gentofte Hospital

    Copenhagen, 2730

    Sara M Hansen, MD, +4538681296, sara.moelgaard.hansen@regionh.dk

    Lisbet R Hölmich, Professor, +4538681243, lisbet.rosenkrantz.hoelmich@regionh.dk

    Recruiting

Other trials in Denmark

About this study

Official title: The MELAcare Study: a Randomized Controlled Trial of a New Method for Surveillance of Melanoma Patients

The aim of this study is to evaluate a new method of follow-up for patients with low and intermediate risk (stages IA-IIA) melanoma. The investigators will compare different tools for patient support and education combined with clinician supported skin self-examination (SSE) to the current standard-of-care. The hypothesis is that meta-cognitive strategies and clinician supported SSE can lower fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and promote effective SSE on a regular basis without compromising the detection of new primary melanomas and/or metastases.

Being tested
The MelaCare intervention
Keywords
cutaneous melanoma, follow-up, nurse-led follow-up, skin self-examination, survivorship
Medical subject headings
Melanoma

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • The MelaCare interventionOther

    The primary principles applied will be:

    • Meta-cognitive strategies and normalization of emotions
    • Self efficacy related to SSE and knowledge on when to seek a doctor for clinical examination

    The intervention will include 4 components:

    • An educational booklet
    • Doctor consultation to ensure correct SSE skills and compliance to the protocol
    • 3-5 sessions with a experienced and specially trained melanoma nurse
    • Use of patients' answers from the Patient Reported Outcome 'Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment - Melanoma' (FACT-M) at the nurse sessions to address current emotional and/or physical sequelae.
Study groups in NCT05253872
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Intervention groupExperimentalPatients in the intervention arm will receive follow-up conducted by melanoma nurses, where the patients will get tools to cope with the melanoma diagnosis and structured training in skin self-examination
Receives: Other: The MelaCare intervention
Control groupNo interventionPatients in the control arm will receive clinical follow-up according to the current standard of care for their clinical stage.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Fear of cancer recurrence

    The primary outcome is the score of the validated 4-item Concerns About Recurrence Questionnaire (CARQ-4). A higher score indicates a higher level of FCR. A score of 12 or above is considered clinically relevant fear of cancer recurrence.

    Measured: The primary outcome will be evaluated at approx. 6-8 months after randomization.

  2. Fear of cancer recurrence

    The primary outcome is the score of the validated 4-item Concerns About Recurrence Questionnaire (CARQ-4). A higher score indicates a higher level of FCR. A score of 12 or above is considered clinically relevant fear of cancer recurrence.

    Measured: The primary outcome will be evaluated at approx. 12 months follow-up

  3. Fear of cancer recurrence

    The primary outcome is the score of the validated 4-item Concerns About Recurrence Questionnaire (CARQ-4). A higher score indicates a higher level of FCR. A score of 12 or above is considered clinically relevant fear of cancer recurrence.

    Measured: The primary outcome will be evaluated at approx. 24 months follow-up

Secondary outcomes (38)
  1. Evaluation of change from baseline in depression score by the validated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PhQ-9)

    The PhQ-9 has a scale from 0-27, and a higher score is associated with increase in depression severity

    Measured: Depression score will be evaluated at approx. 6-8 months after randomization.

  2. Evaluation of change from baseline in depression score by the validated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PhQ-9)

    The PhQ-9 has a scale from 0-27, and a higher score is associated with increase in depression severity

    Measured: Depression score will be evaluated at approx. 12 months follow-up

  3. Evaluation of change from in depression score by the validated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PhQ-9)

    The PhQ-9 has a scale from 0-27, and a higher score is associated with increase in depression severity

    Measured: Depression score will be evaluated at 24 months follow-up

  4. Evaluation of change from baseline in anxiety score by the validated General Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire (GAD-7)

    The GAD-7 has a scale from 0-21, and a higher score is associated with increase in anxiety severity.

    Measured: Anxiety score will be evaluated at approx. 6-8 months after randomization.

  5. Evaluation of change from baseline in anxiety score by the validated General Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire (GAD-7)

    The GAD-7 has a scale from 0-21, and a higher score is associated with increase in anxiety severity.

    Measured: Anxiety score will be evaluated at approx.12 months follow-up

  6. Evaluation of change from baseline in anxiety score by the validated General Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire (GAD-7)

    The GAD-7 has a scale from 0-21, and a higher score is associated with increase in anxiety severity.

    Measured: Anxiety score will be evaluated at approx. 24 months follow-up

  7. Evaluation of change from baseline in distress score by the validated distress thermometer

    The distress thermometer has a scale from 0-10, and a higher score is associated with increase in distress severity

    Measured: Distress score will be evaluated at approx. 6-8 months after randomization.

  8. Evaluation of change from baseline in distress score by the validated distress thermometer

    The distress thermometer has a scale from 0-10, and a higher score is associated with increase in distress severity

    Measured: Distress score will be evaluated at approx.12 months follow-up

  9. Evaluation of change from baseline in distress score by the validated distress thermometer

    The distress thermometer has a scale from 0-10, and a higher score is associated with increase in distress severity

    Measured: Distress score will be evaluated at approx. 24 months follow-up

  10. Evaluation of change from baseline in activation score by the validated patient activation measure

    The patient activation measure has a 100-point scale, and a higher score is associated with increase in activation level

    Measured: Activation measure will be evaluated at approx. 6-8 months after randomization.

  11. Evaluation of change from baseline in activation score by the validated patient activation measure

    The patient activation measure has a 100-point scale, and a higher score is associated with increase in activation level

    Measured: Activation measure will be evaluated at approx.12 months follow-up

  12. Evaluation of change from baseline in activation score by the validated patient activation measure

    The patient activation measure has a 100-point scale, and a higher score is associated with increase in activation level

    Measured: Activation measure will be evaluated at approx. 24 months follow-up

  13. Evaluation of change from baseline in health status by the validated Euroqol 5 dimensions, 3 levels questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L)

    The EQ-5D-3L has a 3-level scale, and a higher level is associated with decrease in health status

    Measured: Health status will be evaluated at approx. 6-8 months after randomization.

  14. Evaluation of change from baseline in health status by the validated Euroqol 5 dimensions, 3 levels questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L)

    The EQ-5D-3L has a 3-level scale, and a higher level is associated with decrease in health status

    Measured: Health status will be evaluated at approx.12 months follow-up

  15. Evaluation of change from baseline in health status by the validated Euroqol 5 dimensions, 3 levels questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L)

    The EQ-5D-3L has a 3-level scale, and a higher level is associated with decrease in health status

    Measured: Health status will be evaluated at approx. 24 months follow-up

  16. Evaluation of change from baseline in work ability by the validated work ability index

    The work ability index has a scale from 7-49, where higher scores indicates better work ability.

    Measured: Work ability will be evaluated at approx. 6-8 months after randomization.

  17. Evaluation of change from baseline in work ability by the validated work ability index

    The work ability index has a scale from 7-49, where higher scores indicates better work ability.

    Measured: Work ability will be evaluated at approx.12 months follow-up

  18. Evaluation of change from baseline in work ability by the validated work ability index

    The work ability index has a scale from 7-49, where higher scores indicates better work ability.

    Measured: Work ability will be evaluated at approx. 24 months follow-up

  19. Evaluation of the time and costs spend by the patients getting to and from the follow-up visits

    The patients will fill in a study specific questionnaire informing time and money spent for transportation to and from the follow-up visits

    Measured: Time and costs spend will be evaluated at approx. 6-8 months after randomization.

  20. Evaluation of the time and costs spend by the patients getting to and from the follow-up visits

    The patients will fill in a study specific questionnaire informing time and money spent for transportation to and from the follow-up visits

    Measured: Time and costs spend will be evaluated at approx.12 months follow-up

  21. Evaluation of the time and costs spend by the patients getting to and from the follow-up visits

    The patients will fill in a study specific questionnaire informing time and money spent for transportation to and from the follow-up visits

    Measured: Time and costs spend will be evaluated at approx. 24 months follow-up

  22. Evaluation of the number of extra clinical consultations with a doctor at the outpatient clinic

    The investigators will evaluate number of extra clinical consultations with a doctor the patients will attend at the outpatient clinic. The data will be collected using electronic patient journal.

    Measured: the number of extra clinical consultations with a doctor will be evaluated at approx. 6-8 months after randomization.

  23. Evaluation of the number of extra clinical consultations with a doctor at the outpatient clinic

    The investigators will evaluate number of extra clinical consultations with a doctor the patients will attend at the outpatient clinic. The data will be collected using electronic patient journal.

    Measured: the number of extra clinical consultations with a doctor will be evaluated at approx. 12 months follow-up

  24. Evaluation of the number of extra clinical consultations with a doctor at the outpatient clinic

    The investigators will evaluate number of extra clinical consultations with a doctor the patients will attend at the outpatient clinic. The data will be collected using electronic patient journal.

    Measured: the number of extra clinical consultations with a doctor will be evaluated at approx. 24 months follow-up

  25. Evaluation of the number of extra clinical consultations with a doctor at the outpatient clinic

    The investigators will evaluate number of extra clinical consultations with a doctor the patients will attend at the outpatient clinic. The data will be collected using electronic patient journal.

    Measured: the number of extra clinical consultations with a doctor will be evaluated at approx. 60 months follow-up

  26. Evaluation of the number and characteristics of new primary melanomas and/or recurrences

    The investigator will register any new melanomas and recurrences detected, and deaths. The data will be collected using medical records.

    Measured: Number and characteristics of new primary melanoma and/or recurrences will be evaluated at approx. 6-8 months after randomization.

  27. Evaluation of the number and characteristics of new primary melanomas and/or recurrences

    The investigator will register any new melanomas and recurrences detected, and deaths. The data will be collected using medical records.

    Measured: Number and characteristics of new primary melanoma and/or recurrences will be evaluated at approx.12 months follow-up

  28. Evaluation of the number and characteristics of new primary melanomas and/or recurrences

    The investigators will register any new melanomas and recurrences detected, and deaths. The data will be collected using medical records.

    Measured: Number and characteristics of new primary melanoma and/or recurrences will be evaluated at approx. 24 months follow-up

  29. Evaluation of the number and characteristics of new primary melanomas and/or recurrences

    The investigators will register any new melanomas and recurrences detected, and deaths. The data will be collected using medical records.

    Measured: Number and characteristics of new primary melanoma and/or recurrences will be evaluated at approx. 60 months follow-up

  30. Evaluation of time to diagnosis of a new primary melanoma and/or recurrence

    The investigators will evaluate time to diagnosis of a new melanomas using Breslows thickness as a proxy for time, and time to diagnosis recurrence measured by type of recurrence (local, regional or distant). The data will be collected using medical records.

    Measured: Time to diagnosis of a new primary melanoma and/or recurrence will be evaluated at approx. 6-8 months after randomization.

  31. Evaluation of time to diagnosis of a new primary melanoma and/or recurrence

    The investigators will evaluate time to diagnosis of a new melanomas using Breslows thickness as a proxy for time, and time to diagnosis recurrence measured by type of recurrence (local, regional or distant). The data will be collected using medical records.

    Measured: Time to diagnosis of a new primary melanoma and/or recurrence will be evaluated at approx. 12 months follow-up

  32. Evaluation of time to diagnosis of a new primary melanoma and/or recurrence

    The investigators will evaluate time to diagnosis of a new melanomas using Breslows thickness as a proxy for time, and time to diagnosis recurrence measured by type of recurrence (local, regional or distant). The data will be collected using medical records.

    Measured: Time to diagnosis of a new primary melanoma and/or recurrence will be evaluated at approx. 24 months follow-up

  33. Evaluation of time to diagnosis of a new primary melanoma and/or recurrence

    The investigators will evaluate time to diagnosis of a new melanomas using Breslows thickness as a proxy for time, and time to diagnosis recurrence measured by type of recurrence (local, regional or distant). The data will be collected using medical records.

    Measured: Time to diagnosis of a new primary melanoma and/or recurrence will be evaluated at approx. 60 months follow-up

  34. Evaluation of health care costs of the new follow-up program compared to the current

    We will evaluate the health care cost of new follow-up program compared to the current. Data will be collected using national registries.

    Measured: Health care costs evaluation will be evaluated at approx. 60 months follow-up

  35. Evaluation of the number of extra scans: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, or positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT)

    The investigators will evaluate number of extra scans. The data will be collected using electronic patient journal.

    Measured: the number of extra scans will be evaluated at approx. 6-8 months after randomization.

  36. Evaluation of the number of extra scans: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, or positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT)

    The investigators will evaluate number of extra scans. The data will be collected using electronic patient journal.

    Measured: the number of extra scans will be evaluated at approx. 12 months follow-up

  37. Evaluation of the number of extra scans: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, or positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT)

    The investigators will evaluate number of extra scans. The data will be collected using electronic patient journal.

    Measured: the number of extra scans will be evaluated at approx. 24 months follow-up

  38. Evaluation of the number of extra scans: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, or positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT)

    The investigators will evaluate number of extra scans. The data will be collected using electronic patient journal.

    Measured: the number of extra scans will be evaluated at approx. 60 months follow-up

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted24 Feb 2022
  2. Study start9 Mar 2022
  3. Primary completionJun 2024 (estimated)
  4. Study completionMar 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Health services research
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
378 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05253872
Sponsor's protocol ID
Melacare v1.0
Status last verified
Jun 2023
First submitted
24 Jan 2022
Last updated
26 Jun 2023
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: There are no plan to share IPD with other researchers.

Publications

  • Hansen SM, Johansen C, Kasparian NA, Grand MK, Bidstrup PE, Holmich LR. Employing skin self-examination and fear of cancer recurrence management in early-stage melanoma follow-up: evaluation of the MELACARE intervention in a randomised controlled trial. J Cancer Surviv. 2025 Jun 12. doi: 10.1007/s11764-025-01841-1. Online ahead of print.

    PubMed 40504479

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing The MelaCare intervention in people with Cutaneous Melanoma, run by Herlev and Gentofte Hospital at 1 site in Denmark.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Jun 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Denmark. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Sara M Hansen, MD (+4538681296, sara.moelgaard.hansen@regionh.dk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Fear of cancer recurrence (time frame: The primary outcome will be evaluated at approx. 6-8 months after randomization.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05253872, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 Jun 2023.

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