Relapse timing in stage 2 melanoma patients

This study investigated the timing for relapse of stage 2 melanoma patients. Researchers suggested that patients with stage 2C melanomas are at higher risk of relapse and need a closer follow-up.  

Stage 2 melanoma patients can be divided in 3 different groups depending on specific factors such as tumor thickness. Stage 2A melanomas are the less thick, followed by stage 2B and stage 2C, which is the thicker melanoma. Relapse rates (when the cancer comes back) can be very different among the different groups. It is necessary to investigate the timing for relapse for each group in order to better follow the patients after surgery.

This study investigated the timing for relapse of the three different stage 2 melanoma groups.

This study reviewed information about 738 patients with stage 2 melanoma. 400 patients had stage 2A (group A). 226 patients had stage 2B (group B). 112 patients had stage 2C (group C). Patients were followed for an average of 52 months.

Of 738 patients, 219 relapsed. Local relapses were more frequent in group A and B, while distant relapses (spread to other parts of the body) were more frequent in group C.

Relapses were more frequently detected by patients across all groups (59%). The 5-year incidence of relapse detected by the patients was 13.6% for group A, 18.9% for group B and 23.3% for group C. While for image detected (CT scans or X-ray) relapse was 3.4% for group A, 7.9 % for group B and 16.6% for group C. The 5-year incidence of relapse detected by the physician was only 10% across all groups. 

This study determined that stage 2C melanoma patients are at higher risk of experiencing relapse and need a closer follow-up after surgery. Self-examination is the most efficient method to detect relapses.