This study examined whether there is a difference in the psychological distress and/or coping modes of patients with early localized malignant melanoma. The authors compared the patients diagnosed at stages IA and B of the disease with those diagnosed at stages IIA and B. The population consisted of 100 melanoma patients who agreed to take part in a study of adjustment to chronic disease. The patients were individually interviewed at home and completed six self-reports. Three of the reports assessed psychological outcome, two assessed coping, and one assessed support systems. No substantial differences were found between the patients treated at stages I and II on any of the psychological measures, despite the fact that those with greatest thickness and depth (stage IIB) are at higher risk of recurrence. The women showed greater distress than the men, confirming earlier observations made in patients with colon cancer.