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Follow-Up Recommendations after Diagnosis of Primary Cutaneous Melanoma: A Population-Based Study in New South Wales, Australia

  • Melanomas
  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Follow-up practices after diagnosis and treatment of primary cutaneous melanoma vary considerably. We aimed to determine factors associated with recommendations for follow-up setting, frequency, skin surveillance, and concordance with clinical guidelines.

Methods

The population-based Melanoma Patterns of Care study documented clinicians’ recommendations for follow-up for 2148 patients diagnosed with primary cutaneous melanoma over a 12-month period (2006/2007) in New South Wales, Australia. Multivariate log binomial regression models adjusted for patient and lesion characteristics were used to examine factors associated with follow-up practices.

Results

Of 2158 melanomas, Breslow thickness was < 1 mm for 57% and ≥ 1 mm for 30%, while in situ melanomas accounted for 13%. Follow-up was recommended for 2063 patients (96%). On multivariate analysis, factors associated with a recommendation for follow-up at a specialist center were Breslow thickness ≥ 1 mm [prevalence ratio (PR) 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.09] and initial treatment at a specialist center (PR 1.12, 95% CI 1.08–1.16). Longer follow-up intervals of > 3 months were more likely to be recommended for females, less likely for people living in rural compared with urban areas, and less likely for thicker (≥ 1 mm) melanomas compared with in situ melanomas. Skin self-examination was encouraged in 84% of consultations and was less likely to be recommended for patients ≥ 70 years (PR 0.88, 95% CI 0.84–0.93) and for those with thicker (≥ 1 mm) melanomas (PR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86–0.99). Only 1% of patients were referred for psychological care.

Conclusions

Follow-up recommendations were generally consistent with Australian national guidelines for management of melanoma, however some variations could be targeted to improve patient outcomes.

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Acknowledgements

We are indebted to Prof. Bruce K Armstrong, DPhil, FRACP, FAFPHM, FAA for his guidance with the analysis of data from the Melanoma Patterns of Care study. This study was funded by the Cancer Institute NSW, with additional financial support provided by Melanoma Institute Australia and the NSW Melanoma Network. Anne E. Cust was supported by an NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (no. 1063593) and a Cancer Institute NSW Fellowship (no. 15/CDF/1- 14). John F. Thompson was supported by the Melanoma Foundation of the University of Sydney. Rachael L. Morton was supported by an Australian National Health and Medical Research (NHMRC) Fellowship (no. 1054216)..

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, North Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Rebecca L. Read MBBS, DPhil, FRACS, Anne E. Cust PhD, MPH (Hons), BSc, BA, Chris Goumas MPH, John F. Thompson MD, FRACS, FACS & Rachael L. Morton MScMed (Clin Epi) (Hons), PhD

  2. Calvary Health Care, Bruce, ACT, Australia

    Rebecca L. Read MBBS, DPhil, FRACS

  3. Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia

    Christine M. Madronio MPhil, DipHSci, BAppSci, MPH, Anne E. Cust PhD, MPH (Hons), BSc, BA & Caroline G. Watts PhD

  4. Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney and the Sydney Melanoma Diagnostic Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia

    Scott Menzies MBBS, PhD, Austin M. Curtin MBBS, FRACS & Graham Mann MBBS, PhD

  5. Department of Surgery, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia

    John F. Thompson MD, FRACS, FACS

  6. NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Level 6, Medical Foundation Building92-94 Parramatta Road, Camperdown, NSW, Australia

    Rachael L. Morton MScMed (Clin Epi) (Hons), PhD

Authors
  1. Rebecca L. Read MBBS, DPhil, FRACS
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  2. Christine M. Madronio MPhil, DipHSci, BAppSci, MPH
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  3. Anne E. Cust PhD, MPH (Hons), BSc, BA
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  4. Chris Goumas MPH
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  5. Caroline G. Watts PhD
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  6. Scott Menzies MBBS, PhD
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  7. Austin M. Curtin MBBS, FRACS
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  8. Graham Mann MBBS, PhD
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  9. John F. Thompson MD, FRACS, FACS
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  10. Rachael L. Morton MScMed (Clin Epi) (Hons), PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rachael L. Morton MScMed (Clin Epi) (Hons), PhD.

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Read, R.L., Madronio, C.M., Cust, A.E. et al. Follow-Up Recommendations after Diagnosis of Primary Cutaneous Melanoma: A Population-Based Study in New South Wales, Australia. Ann Surg Oncol 25, 617–625 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-017-6319-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-017-6319-z

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