Risk for Second Primary Melanoma Increases After Primary Melanoma Diagnosis as Men Age

Source: AJMC, March 2024

A population-based cohort study out of Norway has found that older men have a higher risk of developing second primary invasive melanoma following an initial primary melanoma, suggesting the benefits of increased surveillance in these patients.

Older men have an increased risk for second primary invasive melanoma (SPIM) following an initial primary melanoma diagnosis and could benefit from more surveillance in the years following their first diagnosis, according to a study published in JAMA Dermatology.

After being diagnosed with a primary melanoma, patients are more vulnerable to subsequent melanomas. These risks vary, the authors of the present study note, across previous investigations reporting on the likelihood of developing SPIM. These differences represent a pressing issue to address for patients with melanoma because clinical risk assessments can inform approaches to patient follow-ups—which are crucial for early detection and treatment initiation in this population. Regular follow-up can serve a great benefit in this regard; however, if follow-up is prolonged, these instances can give added anxiety to patients, resulting in overtreatment, overdiagnosis, increased burden on clinicians, and higher related costs.
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