Palliative care management of patients in a dermatology department

Background. The number of patients referred to French University dermatology departments for skin cancers has increased continuously for many years. The aim of this study was to assess the management and number of patients who died in our dermatology department over a 10-year period. Patients and methods. All cases of patients who died in our dermatology department from 1992 to 2002 were retrospectively assessed. Demographic data, past history, main diagnosis, duration of hospitalisation and main treatment given were recorded. Results. The number of patients who died increased from 9 per year at the beginning of the study period to 25 per year at the end of this study. The mean age of patients remained unchanged at 66.5 years old. Forty-nine percent of patients in this study had metastatic melanoma, with no significant modification during the study period. Morphine-based drugs were used (mainly orally) in 41 percent of patients at the beginning of the study and in 56 percent (mainly via subcutaneous infusions) at the end of the study. Forty-five percent of patients were managed in close collaboration with the palliative care unit. Conclusion. This study showed a three-fold increase in the number of patients referred for end-of-life care in a dermatology department during a 10-year period. Most of these patients had disseminated malignant melanoma. Major changes in patient management occurred during this period.