Melanoma (Cutaneous) : I just finished treatment for Stage 1a melanoma. What doctors do I need to follow up with now and how often?

I just finished treatment for Stage 1a melanoma. What doctors do I need to follow up with now and how often?

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Topic Tags:

Melanoma Treatment Process, Cancer Treatment Process, Melanoma Follow-up, Melanom Process, Stage 1A Melanoma, Stage 1 Melanoma, Melanoma

Topic Tags:

Melanoma Treatment Process X Cancer Treatment Process X Melanoma Follow-up X Melanom Process X Stage 1A Melanoma X Stage 1 Melanoma X Melanoma X

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Diseases:

Melanoma (Cutaneous)

Diseases:

Melanoma (Cutaneous)

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Expert Answers

PeterBeitschMD (Physician - Surgery - Surgical Oncology (Verified) ) - 03 / 23 / 2012

The 'cure' rate of Stage 1a melanoma is excellent and approaches 100% (there are few if any absolute 0%'s or 100%'s in medicine). The highest risk of recurrence of any melanoma is within the first 2 years so I see all my invasive melanoma patients every 3 months for the first 2 years and then every 6 months for 3 years and then yearly. However, there is also risk of developing a second melanoma unrelated to the initial melanoma at a rate of 0.5-1.0% per year for the rest of their life. Therefore, follow up should be every 3-6 months with their dermatologist in addition to the visits with their surgical oncologist.

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