title: Melanoma patterns of distant relapse: a study of 108 cases from a South Brazilian center.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of cutaneous melanoma has increased over the last decades. Recurrences occur most frequently within the first 2-3 years after diagnosis but patients carry a lifelong risk of relapse. Nevertheless, there is no consensus in the literature on what screening tests patients should undergo.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the most common melanoma metastasis sites among a South Brazilian population from a city with one of the highest melanoma rates, and establish the best screening method for these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional retrospective study of 108 consecutive melanoma patients followed up at a center from 2009 to 2013. Data were collected on demographic and tumoral characteristics, as well as the site of the first diagnosed metastasis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients were divided into 3 groups for analytical purposes: Non-visceral metastases (48% of patients), visceral metastasis (39%) and brain metastasis (13%). We tried to correlate age, gender, mean Breslow thickness, mitosis and death rates with the aforementioned groups but none showed any statistically significant association.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Melanoma patients must be monitored to detect early relapse and subsequent effective treatment but the best follow-up strategy remains to be established.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Santo Antônio, Blumenau, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo Kraft
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Rovere
authors.affiliation: Hospital Santo Antônio, Blumenau, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Eduarda Pires
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.affiliation: Hospital Santo Antônio, Blumenau, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danielle Louise da Maia
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cidral
authors.affiliation: Hospital Santo Antônio, Blumenau, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sara Fernanda
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Hilgert
authors.affiliation: Hospital Santo Antônio, Blumenau, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Yasmine Rodrigues Chamse
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Ddine
authors.affiliation: Universidade Regional de Blumenau, Blumenau, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos Efrain
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.affiliation: Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, Itajaí, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Giuliano Santos
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.affiliation: Brusque, Brusque, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adma Silva
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: de Lima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*