The risk of melanoma cancer recurrence is a great concern to any patient. And for those who had stage one, the prognosis is good. Dr. Anna Pavlick, a medical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine, says for those patientsthere’s a 90 percent chance you’re going to be fine after treatment, so extensive screening or radiation is not necessary.
But she adds, “We do know that every once in a while, there is that melanoma cell that might get out of that lymph node and go hide somewhere in the body.“ For this reason, you’ll see your dermatologist, oncologist, and surgeon regularly for routine screenings. Additional imaging to monitor for signs of the cancer returning may also be necessary.
Read MoreNo matter what stage your melanoma was diagnosed at, it’s important to be vigilant and follow your care team’s instructions. Recurrence is always a possibility, but with close monitoring and early detection, it can often be successfully treated.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.