Stage IV melanoma represents an active but varied stage of disease.  Therefore follow-up for patients may be required every 3 months, monthly, or even weekly. The follow-up schedule should be arranged in accordance with the level of symptoms and anticipated effects of the disease.

Tumor Marker Tests are under investigation for Stage IV melanoma.

Blood tests for the following tumor markers are currently under investigation for stage IV melanoma:

• S-100 B and melanoma-inhibiting activity (MIA) are proteins secreted by malignant melanoma cells. They are detected in the blood by immunoassay, a technique of identifying a substance based on its ability to act as an antigen.

• Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay is a molecular biologic technique commonly used to detect HIV. New RT-PCR assays can detect tyronsinase, an enzyme associated with the production of melanin, and a possible tumor marker for melanoma.

Stage IV Melanoma is considered at high risk for local recurrence or distant metastasis. Large scale studies have shown the following probabilities of disease free survival for 1, 2, and 5 years respectively. (1)  Keep in mind that the statistics shown for survival are averages; everyone's cancer and survival rate is based on many factors and determined on an individual basis.

Survival

The following factors may provide a relatively more favorable prognosis and help guide decisions about whether to pursue therapy:

• A limited number of sites of disease

• The disease is limited to soft tissues and lymph nodes rather than bone and vital organs

• Stage IV disease does not develop until more than 1 year after treatment of earlier-stage disease

• The occurrence of an observable and favorable response to treatment

Additional favorable patient factors include:

• A normal appetite
• Absence of nausea, vomiting, or fever;
• The ability to conduct daily activities unimpaired
• Being female.

For more on what to do If Melanoma Recurs click here

Reference:

1.American Cancer Society