Systematic Automated Population-Based Surveillance to Improve Outcomes in Primary Cutaneous Melanoma

Abstract

Importance: Patients with a primary cutaneous melanoma (PCM) are at increased risk of developing a second primary melanoma (SPM). Earlier stage at diagnosis is associated with better 5-year mortality, yet low compliance with recommended follow-up after treatment for PCM and high rates of patients lost to follow-up are reported in the literature. Strategies to enhance population-based surveillance for SPM have not been well described. Objective: To determine whether the implementation of a systematic automated population-based program (SAPP) to ensure dermatologist total body skin exams (TBSEs) in the PCM population compared to the pre-automated period and pre-database periods improves compliance with follow-up, detects more SPMs, or affects mortality? Design: Quality Improvement Study. Setting: Large integrated health care system with internalized Dermatology services. Participants: Members with a PCM prior to, or during the study periods of interest, were included in this quality improvement study. There were 6317 eligible individuals with PCMs in 3 study periods: pre-Database (1/1/2005-11/1/2009), pre-Automation (11/1/09-7/31/15), and post-Automation (8/1/15-12/31/2021), respectively. Intervention(s) or Exposure(s): Manual registry for melanoma patients (pre-Automation) and systematic automated population-based program for PCM patients (post-Automation). Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s): Mean number of TBSE per person-year. Time Between TBSE. Incidence of SPM detection. Stage of SPM at diagnosis. Melanoma Death and All-Cause Mortality. Results: In patients with PCM, a SAPP to ensure dermatologist TBSE, reduces median time (months) between TBSEs from 12.3 pre-Database to 8.2 post-Automation (stage 0-2a PCM) and from 10.3 to 6.8 (stage 2b-4 PCM; P