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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[ndash]2001). A total of 1881 patients in stage I or II (AJCC) with a follow-up of [ge]10 years were selected and screened for late recurrence ([ge]10 years after diagnosis).Results Twenty patients were identified (1.1%), 13 women and 7 men, median age 44 years (age range 30[ndash]74 years). The largest period from primary diagnosis to recurrence was 25.1 years with a median of 13.9 years. Conclusions Late recurrence is a clinical sign of melanoma dormancy. We conclude that late recurrences argue for a lifelong follow-up of melanoma patients. |
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