Table 3.
Stage-specific surveillance guidelines by physician specialty during disease years 1–5
| General practitioner | Dermatologist | Medical oncologist | Surgical oncologist | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of visits per year | ||||
| Stage I | 4 | 2 | 2 | N/A |
| Stage II | ||||
| Years 1–2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Years 4–5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Stage III | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 (years 1–3) |
| 2 (years 4–5) | ||||
| Recommended evaluations | ||||
| Self-examination | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Routine diagnostic imaging | No | CT for stage III | Sonography of regional lymph nodes | CT of chest, abdomen, and pelvis |
| Laboratory assessment | No | LDH, AP, protein S-100β | LDH, AP | CBC, LDH (> stage II) |
Note: Copyright © 2012. Reproduced from Wolters Kluwer Health. Cromwell KD, Ross MI, Xing Y, et al. Variability in melanoma post-treatment surveillance practices by country and physician specialty: a systematic review. Melanoma Res. 2012;22(5):376–385.59
Abbreviations: AP, alkaline phosphatase; CBC, complete blood cell count; CT, computed tomography; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; N/A, not available.