Optimal follow-up for melanoma

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of melanoma is causing a growing number of patients to be in follow-up after treatment and places a large burden on scarce healthcare resources. This article aims to establish the optimal follow-up for melanoma patients by giving an overview of recommendations for initial treatment and staging of the disease, as well as the content and frequency of follow-up as stated in several national guidelines for treatment of melanoma. The evidence for these recommendations, if available, will be discussed. Furthermore, the article focuses on the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy, PET and biomarkers in follow-up and staging. The article concludes with the authors opinion on optimal follow-up for melanoma and on what changes in follow-up strategies are to be expected if new therapies become available in the next 5 years. © 2010 Expert Reviews Ltd.