Changes in Quality of Life After Treatment for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background/Objectives: Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), particularly basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), may adversely affect quality of life (QoL), especially in cosmetically sensitive areas. This study aimed to identify factors associated with QoL in patients with NMSC and to evaluate changes in dermatology- and skin cancer-specific QoL following treatment. Methods: This prospective study included 169 patients with NMSC evaluated at baseline and 3 months after treatment using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Skin Cancer Quality of Life Impact Tool (SCQOLIT). Factors associated with baseline QoL and changes according to treatment modality and histological subtype were analysed. Results: The mean age was 69.2 ± 11.85 years; 82.8% had BCC and 17.2% had SCC. Mean DLQI scores decreased from 2.29 ± 2.81 to 0.34 ± 0.75 and SCQOLIT scores from 4.78 ± 5.53 to 1.20 ± 1.76 at 3 months (both p < 0.001). Lower educational level was associated with higher baseline DLQI scores, whereas younger age and higher socioeconomic status were associated with higher and lower baseline SCQOLIT scores, respectively; these associations persisted in sensitivity analyses. The associations of younger age, female sex, and SCC histology with higher DLQI scores were less robust. SCC patients had higher baseline DLQI scores than BCC patients (3.66 ± 4.82 vs. 2.01 ± 2.10, p = 0.040), but this difference was no longer statistically significant at 3 months. QoL improved following both surgical and medical treatment, with no significant differences in the magnitude of improvement among surgical or medical treatment types. Conclusions: QoL improved significantly within 3 months after NMSC treatment. Different factors were associated with baseline DLQI and SCQOLIT scores, suggesting that these instruments may capture complementary aspects of QoL. Their combined use may provide a more comprehensive assessment of patients with NMSC.