Evaluation of the impact of reduced follow-up schedule in melanoma patients

This study investigated whether a reduced follow-up schedule affects melanoma patient outcomes, detection of recurrences (when the cancer comes back) and follow-up costs. Researchers suggested that reduced follow-up visits, besides reducing significantly hospital costs, did not affect patients’ outcomes and recurrence detection. 

Guidelines recommend an intense follow-up for patients with melanoma treated with curative intent. These follow-up visits are important for cancer-related anxiety reduction and early detection of recurrences. However, it is known that 75% of the recurrences are detected by the patients themselves. This suggests that fewer follow-up visits may be adequate. 

This study included 180 patients with early stage melanoma. Patients were divided in two groups. Group A had 4 follow-up visits within the first year and group B had 1 to 3 follow-up visits. Patients were evaluated in terms of cancer-related anxiety, cancer worry and health-related quality of life.

Recurrence rate one year after diagnosis was 8.6% in group A and 8.0% in group B. Of the patients with recurrences, 53.3% were patient-detected. No differences between group A and B were detected in anxiety and cancer worry, recurrences and quality of life. There was a reduction of 45% in cost of melanoma care and clinic visits for group B.

This study determined that the follow-up visits of melanoma patients after treatment could be reduced.