Routine Screening Helps Monitor for Melanoma Recurrence

There is always a risk of recurrence with melanoma unless you have melanoma in situ, which is considered cured once it has been removed. Melanoma may recur in many different areas but it’s commonly found in the soft tissues of the skin, which might appear as a lump. Melanoma can also appear in other parts of the body besides the skin, and in organs like the lungs or the brain.

Recurrence can depend on what stage you have, so there are various screening recommendations. Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, says if you’ve had early-stage melanoma you should have a skin exam every three to six months. She says you should also report any symptoms such as a headache, changes in vision, cough, fatigue or weight loss. If you had late-stage melanoma, in addition to regular skin exams–also every three to six months–you may also need imaging, and sometimes blood work, to monitor for any signs of recurrence.

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