Skin Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Skin Cancer, including details on identification, causes, prevention, treatment. | ||||||||
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Follow-up in patients with localised primary cutaneous melanoma.Francken AB, Bastiaannet E, Hoekstra HJ Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands. Follow-up services for patients with localised cutaneous melanoma are widely discussed but there is no international consensus. Our aim was to discuss frequency and duration of follow-up, type of health professional involved, optimum intensity of routine investigation, and patients' satisfaction with follow-up. Searches of the published work were directed at publications between January, 1985, and February, 2004 on recurrences, subsequent primary melanoma, routine tests, and patients' satisfaction. In a selection of 72 articles, 2142 (6.6%) recurrences were reported, 62% of which were detected by the patients themselves. 2.6% of patients developed a subsequent primary melanoma. Most investigators do not support high-intensity routine follow-up investigations. Of the various follow-up investigations requested by physicians, only medical history and physical examination seem to be cost effective. Lymph-node sonography seems to be a promising method for detection, although survival benefit remains to be proven. Patients were found to be anxious about follow-up visits, although other research showed that provision of information to patients was much appreciated. Published work on the follow-up of patients with cutaneous melanoma has mainly been retrospective and descriptive. Recommendations can be given with only a low grade of evidence. For meaningful guidelines to be developed, prospective, high-quality methodological research is needed. Published 1 August 2005 in Lancet Oncol, 6(8): 608-21.
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