[Characteristics of patients with recurrence of primary melanoma at least 10 years following surgical treatment].
OBJECTIVE
Assessment of incidence and risk factors of late recurrence (after a disease-free interval of at least 10 years) following treatment for primary melanoma.


METHODS
Retrospective study taking into account a total of 2579 melanoma patients admitted to the Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Huis in the period 1956 to 1991; patients with ocular melanoma were excluded.


RESULTS
Twenty-three patients had a disease-free interval of at least 10 years (median 11 years; range: 10-21) after treatment for primary melanoma: 17 women and 6 men, with a median age of 43 years (20-62). This group predominantly consisted of women with a primary melanoma localised on the extremities. Most of them had melanomas of intermediate thickness (Breslow thickness: 1-2 mm). Patients with a first recurrence locoregionally (16) had a 5-year survival rate of over 50%; 6 of the 7 patients with a first relapse at distant sites died within a few months.


CONCLUSIONS
Melanoma patients who are discharged from follow-up after a disease-free interval of 10 years are advised to continue loco-regional self-examination.
Klaase
J M
JM
Het Nederlands Kanker Instituut/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Huis, afd. Chirurgie, Amsterdam.
Kroon
B B
BB
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors
Kenmerken van patiënten met een recidief van primair melanoom ten minste 10 jaar na chirurgische behandeling.