Abstract
To evaluate the relationship between the pattern of the first recurrence of stage I-III malignant melanoma and its prognosis, we reviewed 30 patients with recurrence in our hospital. The median disease-free interval prior to recurrence was nine months, and 90% of recurrences were found within three years of follow-up. For the first recurrent site, 27% of all recurrences were in regional nodes, 40% were in-transit metastasis, and 33% were in a distant organ. Forty percent of recurrences were detected by the patients themselves, whereas 50% were detected by the physicians; however, there was no significant difference in survival between the two groups. Although our data could not deny the necessity of intensive follow-up for patients with melanoma, its influence on survival is still controversial. [Skin Cancer (Japan) 2006; 21: 189-193]
