Which tests or examinations are conducted during the routine follow-up of patients who have had melanoma?

There is no general consensus regarding the routine follow-up of patients with malignant melanoma. Close followup is recommended because the risk of developing a second primary melanoma is around 3% to 4.5%. Follow-up recommendations vary from 1 to 4 times per year during the first 2 years after diagnosis. During the follow-up evaluations, patients should receive a physical exam directed toward the detection of a local recurrence of the primary tumor, the development of metastatic disease in the surrounding skin or the draining lymphatic system, or development of a second primary melanoma. As in the initial staging evaluation, any abnormality detected by physical exam, review of systems, or laboratory tests is more fully investigated. If no abnormalities are detected by routine physical exam and review of systems, repeat laboratory tests, and chest x-ray are often dictated by stage of the patient’s disease.


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