title: The incidence of late recurrence (greater than 10 years); an analysis of 536 consecutive cases of cutaneous melanoma.
abstract: The main purpose of this study was, using a computerised database, to try to establish possible prognostic features shown in patients who develop late recurrence, after 10 years, from a melanoma. The records of 536 patients diagnosed and treated for cutaneous melanoma over a 10-year period were examined and 5 patients were found to have developed a late recurrence. These patients were all female and included both pre- and post-menopausal cases at the time of initial diagnosis. In 4 out of the 5 cases the primary lesion had been situated upon an extremity. This study adds to the evidence that prognostic indicators can lead to a possible identification of high risk patients and that the level of patient awareness and education must be maintained throughout the period of follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Callaway
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Briggs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology