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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Utility of follow-up tests for detecting recurrent disease in patients with malignant melanomas
M Weiss1, C L Loprinzi, E T Creagan
1Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Objective:
To determine the effectiveness of follow-up tests for signaling recurrences in patients with intermediate- and high-risk malignant melanomas treated with curative intention.
Design:
Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.
Setting:
North Central Cancer Treatment Group.
Patients:
A total of 261 patients with resected local (> or = 1.69 mm) and regional nodal malignant melanomas who were enrolled in a single prospective adjuvant trial were studied. All patients were scheduled to be followed up monthly for 2 months, then every 2 months for the first year, every 4 months the second year, every 6 months the next 3 years, and annually thereafter, with each visit consisting of a history, physical examination, complete blood cell count, blood chemistry panel, and a chest x-ray.
Results:
Of the 145 evaluable patients who developed recurrent melanomas, 99 patients (68%) developed symptoms that signaled the diagnosis of recurrent disease. Physical examination of asymptomatic patients led to the diagnosis of recurrent disease in 37 patients (26%). The other nine patients (6%) with recurrent disease had abnormal chest x-rays. Laboratory results were never a sole indicator of recurrent disease.
Conclusion:
The majority of recurrences following resection of primary melanomas are discovered by history and/or physical examination despite the frequent use of other follow-up tests. The present data indicate that routine blood analyses and chest x-rays have limited value in the postoperative follow-up of patients with resected intermediate- and high-risk melanomas.
