Studied the adjustment and coping of malignant melanoma patients and their spouses by means of self-reports of 50 couples (aged 24–76 yrs). 28 couples with men as the patients and 22 couples with women as the patients were interviewed individually. The Medical Outcome scale, Brief Symptom Inventory, Profile of Mood States, Impact of Events scale, Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, System Belief Inventory and Dealing with Illness Coping Inventory were completed by the Ss. Results show that the marital relationship and support by a spouse may operate differently according to the gender of the patient and the spouse. Female patients reported higher psychological distress than men. Wives managed distress better than did husbands. The husbands of female malignant melanoma patients reported significantly more distress than male patients with this type of cancer.