What Surveillance Testing Should Be Done After Melanoma Diagnosis?

Source: Medical Research, June 2018

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: The optimal surveillance strategy to detect recurrence in cutaneous melanoma remains elusive. Risk of recurrence increases with higher stage, and is especially high for patients with stage IIIC disease. Although consensus guidelines agree on surveillance imaging for high-risk (stage IIB-IIIC) MEL, there is no consensus regarding optimal frequency/modality in these patients. NCCN guidelines suggest chest radiography (CXR) at 6- to 12-month intervals for stage IA-IIA melanoma  patients; although this is controversial. There exists a great deal of practice variation in the surveillance of these patients.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: The incidence of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary metastases increases with stage. CXR reliably detects pulmonary metastases in patients with stage I-III melanoma.