Late recurrence (10 years or more) of malignant melanoma in south-east Germany (Saxony). A single-centre analysis of 1881 patients with a follow-up of 10 years or more.

BACKGROUND

Late recurrent melanoma (MM) is rare.

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, we analysed the frequency of late recurrent MM in south-eastern Germany.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

In our centre, 2314 MM patients were documented (1972-2001). A total of 1881 patients in stage I or II (AJCC) with a follow-up of > or = 10 years were selected and screened for late recurrence (> or = 10 years after diagnosis).

RESULTS

Twenty patients were identified (1.1%), 13 women and 7 men, median age 44 years (age range 30-74 years). Nineteen suffered from cutaneous MM and one had a uveal MM (excluded from further analysis). The primary cutaneous MM occurred on the trunk (6), on the upper limb/shoulder (4), or on the lower limb (9). MM type was superficial spreading (13), nodular (2), acrolentiginous (1), lentigo maligna-type (1) or unclassified (2). Tumour thickness varied from 0.33 mm to 9.5 mm (median 2.0 mm). Ulceration was seen in four, and spontaneous regression in two MM patients. Invasiveness into blood or lymphatic vessels occurred in seven MM patients. The largest period from primary diagnosis to recurrence was 25.1 years with a median of 13.9 years. Metastatic spread was loco-regional (12 patients) or distant (7). Four patients were survivors and three of these had in-transit metastases only. Overall survival was 14.7 +/- 6.6 years. Statistical analysis could not identify factors significantly associated with late recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Late recurrence is a clinical sign of melanoma dormancy. We conclude that late recurrences argue for a lifelong follow-up of melanoma patients.