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The end of treatment for melanoma does not mean the end of the medical journey. Melanoma can and often does recur. The mere fact that you had one melanoma increases the likelihood that you will have another. Follow-up care offers assurance that any recurrence is detected and treated as quickly as possible.

The timing and nature of follow-up vary according to the stage of the original lesion, risk-related features of the lesion, and other factors. Every patient should have a follow-up visit at least once a year. Your doctor may recommend more frequent follow-ups, especially during the first year after treatment, and then extend the follow-up interval over time

Some recommendations for follow-up care apply to all patients: a medical history and physical exam, a whole-body skin exam, and ongoing education about risk factors for melanoma and prevention, to name a few. Your doctor may want photographs of your skin to document any changes that may occur over time. Use of laboratory tests and medical imaging depends on the original disease stage and lesion characteristics.

Follow-up care is not a one-size-fits-all proposition but rather a combination of standard and disease-specific recommendations, which your doctor will tailor to meet the characteristics and needs of your individual circumstances.

Your Role in Follow-Up

Follow-up care cannot achieve its goals without the patient's commitment and participation. Be an active participant in follow-up care. That means keeping appointments as scheduled and following your physician's recommendations related to melanoma prevention and early detection of recurrence. Promptly report any new or suspicious skin lesions. Inform your doctor about potential treatment-related side effects. Notify your doctor about any new concerning symptoms.

Take an active role in educating yourself about melanoma. Make sure you understand your doctor's or other caregiver's instructions, and don't hesitate to ask questions. Melanoma prevention and early detection of recurrence requires team work, and you are a key part of the team.

Read previous installments in this series:

For Your Patients: What Is Melanoma?

For Your Patients: Is What You're Seeing Harmless or Is It Melanoma?

For Your Patients: Is It Melanoma or Something Else?

For Your Patients: What to Know about Treating Early-Stage Melanoma

For Your Patients: New Options, Better Outcomes for Advanced Melanoma

For Your Patients: Choosing the Right Therapy for Advanced Melanoma

For Your Patients: Managing Recurrent Melanoma

"Medical Journeys" is a set of clinical resources reviewed by doctors, meant for physicians and other healthcare professionals as well as the patients they serve. Each episode of this 12-part journey through a disease state contains both a physician guide and a downloadable/printable patient resource. "Medical Journeys" chart a path each step of the way for physicians and patients and provide continual resources and support, as the caregiver team navigates the course of a disease.