Malignant melanoma, evaluation of clinical follow up by questionnaire survey

A retrospective questionnaire study, by post, revealed that 69% of patients, still living following first tumour recurrence, had detected the recurrence themselves prior to routine clinic appointments. Nearly 90% developed their first recurrence in the first 5 years following primary surgical treatment. Not only could the length of routine clinic follow-up after primary melanoma treatment be shortened, but with further education of the patient and involvement of the general practitioner it seems likely that patients can be trusted to detect their own recurrences and seek appropriate advice.