A new study published in JAMA Dermatology aimed to determine whether patient-led surveillance in those with prior localized primary cutaneous melanoma is as safe, feasible and acceptable as clinician-led surveillance.

This was a pilot randomized clinical trial conducted at two specialist-led clinics in Sydney, Australia, and a primary care skin cancer clinic managed by general practitioners in Newcastle, Australia. The study included 100 patients who had been treated for localized melanoma, and also owned a smartphone, had a partner to assist with skin self-examination (SSE)and had been routinely attending scheduled follow-up visits.

The eligible participantswere randomized to either patient-led or clinician-led surveillance. The findings revealed that when compared to clinician-led surveillance, patient-led surveillance was associated with increased SSE frequency and thoroughness; had no detectable adverse effect on psychological outcomes; increased clinic visits and skin lesion excisions; and subsequent melanoma diagnoses. Besides, new primary melanomas and one local recurrence were diagnosed in 16% of the participants in the intervention group, plus in 10% patients even before their routinely scheduled visits, and in6% of the participants in the control group, with none ahead of routinely scheduled visits.

The findings revealed that patient-led surveillance after treatment of localized melanoma is feasible and acceptable.

Source: JAMA Dermatology. 2021 Nov 24. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.4704