Recurrence of Melanoma

When melanoma comes back after it has been treated, it is called a recurrence. Recurrent melanoma may appear locally (at or near the site of the original primary melanoma tumor), or in another part of the body. Melanoma can come back as many as 10 or more years after it was first treated. This is not the same as developing a new primary melanoma that is unrelated to the first primary melanoma.

Factors That Increase the Risk Your Primary Melanoma Will Recur:

• The thickness of the primary melanoma, with thicker tumors carrying greater risk than thin tumors
• The presence of ulceration in the primary melanoma
• The presence of satellite metastases surrounding the primary melanoma
• The presence of an increased mitotic rate in the primary tumor

Recurrences can occur at the original site of the primary melanoma or in the surrounding skin or tissues, in lymph nodes or at other sites in the body including internal organs.

Treatment of Recurrent Melanoma

Treatment of recurrent melanoma depends on the stage of the original melanoma, the initial treatment, and the type of recurrence. There are three types of recurrence; isolated local recurrence, lymph node recurrence, and distant recurrence.

Isolated Local Recurrence

In this case, a single melanoma reappears in the general area of the original tumor. Recommended treatment depends on the site of recurrence, as shown below.

Lymph Node Recurrence

In this case recurrence occurs in the lymph node(s) in the area nearest  your primary (original) melanoma. Recommended treatment depends on the type of previous treatment, as shown below.

Distant Recurrence

Treated the same way as Stage IV melanoma; immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy.