14th July 2026

Monitoring

Early stage (I/IIA): follow-up recommended (up to four times in first year after treatment completion)

Those with stage IB-IIB should be followed up every 3 months for the first three years after treatment completion, followed by every six months for the next two years, with the aim of discharge after five years.

Advanced disease (stage III or IV) and receiving systemic therapy: regular imaging every 3 months to assess progression

Complications

High likelihood: adverse effects of treatment, SNLB complications (post-operative lymphodema), sequelae of metastatic disease

Low likelihood: local surgical complications (bleeding/infection), SNLB complications, local recurrence, 

References

• https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/268/pdf/268/Melanoma.pdf
• https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng14/resources/melanoma-assessment-and-management-pdf-1837271430853
• https://dermnetnz.org/topics/superficial-spreading-melanoma
• https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/category_1