Survivorship care for melanoma patients: a scoping review

Despite significant advances in melanoma treatment, many survivors continue to experience long-term effects of disease and therapy. Various survivorship care programs have been developed in recent years, but these differ in terms of their scope, content, and delivery. The aim of this scoping review was to summarize existing literature on melanoma survivorship care.

The search strategy was developed using the PCC (Population, Concept, Context) framework for scoping reviews. We conducted systematic searches in MEDLINE®, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL for studies published between 01/2015 and 03/2026. Additionally, the reference lists of the included studies were screened. Two researchers conducted the searches independently. They screened the studies using defined criteria and extracted data on study characteristics and the reported care. The results were summarized using the content analysis by Elo and Kyngäs.

Of the 2,993 references screened, 21 studies met the inclusion criteria and covered seven unique survivorship care programs. These studies were published from 2015 onward. Using the domains of the Cancer survivorship care quality framework, we characterized the studies as follows: prevention and monitoring of recurrence and new cancers; monitoring and management of physical, psychosocial, and chronic conditions; health promotion and disease prevention; and context-related domains of the healthcare system, such as clinical structure, communication and decision making, and care coordination.

This scoping review summarizes the current melanoma survivorship care. Evidence gaps remain, particularly regarding health literacy and health economic perspectives.

The findings will support the development of a patient-centered survivorship care program for people living with and beyond melanoma.