Describe the recommended follow-up for a patient with melanoma.

Routine follow-up evaluations vary, depending on the depth of the primary tumor (Table 45-2). It is important to stress that unlike many malignancies, melanoma has a tendency to recur many years after the primary tumor is removed. Therefore, patients at high risk for recurrence need to be followed very closely for long periods of time.

Table 45-2. Recommended Follow-up Schedules for Patients with Cutaneous Melanoma
	STAGE		FOLLOW-UP		DURATION		THEREAFTER
	0		Every 12 months		2 years		Variable
	Ia		Every 6–12 months		2 years		Variable
	Ib		Every 6–12 months		5 years		Variable
	II		Every 3–6 months		2–3 years		Every 6–12 months for life
	IIb–IV		Every 3–6 months		3 years		Every 6–12 months for life, consider CXR, LDH
	CXR, Chest x-ray; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase.