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Recurrence of thin melanoma: how effective is follow-up?
- Source :
- British Journal of Plastic Surgery; September 1996, Vol. 49 Issue: 6 p409-413, 5p
- Publication Year :
- 1996
-
Abstract
- In order to assess the benefit to patients with thin malignant melanoma (< 0.76 mm) of a 5-year clinical follow-up programme, we have studied 602 patients with a minimum time from primary surgery of 5 years. Tumour recurrence occurred in 24 patients (4% of all patients) but only five surgically treatable recurrences (< 1% of all patients) occurred within the 5-year period following primary surgery. After 5 years there were four surgically treatable recurrences, but their prognosis was generally poor. The remaining cases of tumour recurrence were not surgically treatable. In the face of an increasing incidence of melanoma, and the accompanying increase in demand for surgical treatment and outpatient review, we question the need for prolonged hospital follow-up of thin melanoma.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00071226 and 14653087
- Volume :
- 49
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- British Journal of Plastic Surgery
- Publication Type :
- Periodical
- Accession number :
- ejs9916022
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/S0007-1226(96)90012-0