Long-term Follow-up for Melanoma Patients

摘要: Cumulative findings support the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for surveillance in early-stage melanoma (stages IA–IIA), which recommend lifelong dermatologic with regular comprehensive skin exams, adding imaging studies only if there is clinical suspicion of recurrence.1 Regular examination offers highest diagnostic yield detecting recurrences, additional benefit seen when used patients whom evaluation or symptomatic presentation suggests presence distant disease. However, locally regionally advanced IIB–IIIC), a paucity data to use rigorous, routine following appropriate staging and surgical treatment their disease. Contemporary recommend, on basis low-level evidence (category 2B), that clinicians consider addition CT and/or PET/CT every 3 12 months these patients.1 However, indicate such regimen would result an exceedingly large number performed detect limited surgically treatable recurrences have little impact patient survival. Although likely subset high risk oncologic has potential offer survival benefit, more judicious approach may be equally effective detrimental Such considerations are increasing interest modern era rising health care costs impending limitations resource utilization.