Patterns of spread Melanoma can spread locally and involve nearby tissues, such as the local lymph glands or liver, bones, brain or lungs. Another organ where melanoma tends to spread to are the Adrenal glands, which are the glands located above the kidneys and which produce special hormones. Cancer can also spread to the area near spinal cord and vertebrae. Special Situations Patients with advanced melanoma may develop any of the following complications. Pain Survival and Prognosis Survival of patients with metastatic melanoma will depend on the type and extent of the cancer at the time of initial diagnosis.
Prognosis depends primarily on the depth of skin involvement and thickness of the tumor.
Some patients with early stages of melanoma of the skin may be cured with surgery alone. Follow-up After completion of treatment in any combination that might have taken place, patients need to remain under surveillance for the possibility of a recurrence of melanoma. Follow-up should be scheduled on a regular basis, initially every one to three months for one to two years, and thereafter less frequently. Patients must avoid excessive sun exposure. A CT scan of the chest and a bone scan are done once a year.