Randomized Study of Imaging During Follow-Up After Surgery for High Risk Stage IIb-c and III Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating whether regular radiological assessments during follow-up after surgery for high-risk malignant melanoma improve patient survival. The study addresses concerns about the resource demands, potential radiation exposure, and anxiety caused by such imaging, especially given the recent introduction of effective medical treatments for melanoma. There is currently no clear evidence supporting routine imaging in this context. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group follows national guidelines with regular doctor appointments for 3 years, while the other group receives the same follow-up plus additional whole-body CT or PET scans and blood tests at baseline, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. An interim analysis will be done after 1,000 patients enroll. During the study, researchers will monitor overall survival at 5 years as the primary outcome. They will also assess quality of life through questionnaires over the 3-year follow-up. Participants will attend scheduled visits for clinical evaluations, imaging, and blood tests, with the study aiming to provide clear evidence about the role of imaging in post-surgical melanoma care.

A Randomized Trial to Assess the Role of Imaging During Follow Up After Radical Surgery of High Risk Melanoma