On-going Melanoma Monitoring

Following a melanoma diagnosis, a person remains at risk for the development of a new melanoma as well as a recurrence of their previous melanoma (depending on its stage).  Total body skin examination by a dermatologist will be more frequent in the years following the melanoma diagnosis but will continue for life, and should be done at least annually.  Laboratory tests and radiology tests may also be used to monitor for a recurrence of melanoma.  Lab tests can include complete blood counts, measurement of electrolytes, kidney function, liver function, and LDH levels.  Depending on the stage of melanoma, a variety of radiology tests may also be used.  In earlier stage melanoma, an annual chest x-ray might be performed.  In higher risk melanoma, radiology testing might include CT scans, MRI imaging, or a PET scan.  The type of imaging and the frequency of that imaging is different for each patient and will be determined from a variety of factors.

The types of radiologic imaging commonly used in melanoma includes:

• Blood Work: Non-specific indicator that melanoma may be involved in several organ systems.
• Bone scan: Uses radioactive material to find if there is any bone involvement with your melanoma.
• Computed Tomography (CT) scans: Looks for melanoma in other organs of the body such as:  abdomen (bowel and liver), chest (lungs and lymph nodes), neck, and head.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans: Used primarily to determine if the brain has any melanoma involvement.
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans: Looks for “metabolically active” areas in the body which may be melanoma.

Melanoma Recurrence

Melanoma is considered the most serious type of skin cancer because it can develop within the body at a place away from where it first began.  If it returns, it can recur locally or to a distant site.  Melanoma that recurs locally may appear at the scar of the initial surgery or as small nodules or lumps under the skin at the site.  During your monthly skin checks, you should look for any abnormal lumps, especially where the surgery was done and by nearby lymph nodes.  Melanoma that recurs in a distant site is most often detected by regularly schedule x-rays or scans. 

This information is provided to you as a service from the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) in support of its mission.  The MRF is committed to educating patients, caregivers and physicians about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of melanoma.  For additional information, contact us at education@melanoma.org.