The following is a summary of “ATLAS: A positive, high-yield review of patient symptoms most significantly associated with melanoma recurrence,” published in the August 2024 issue of Dermatology by Everdell et al.

While standardized, evidence-based surveillance practices exist for cutaneous melanoma, the optimal frequency and specific modalities can vary depending on factors such as the stage of the melanoma, patient risk factors, and available resources.

Researchers conducted a retrospective study identifying the most compelling questions in patient interviews for detecting melanoma recurrence.

They evaluated a cohort study of cutaneous patients with melanoma, analyzing demographic and clinical features, including a detailed review of systems, between those with recurrence and those without.

The results showed that the Appetite change, Tiredness, Lymph node enlargement, Abdominal pain, and Shortness of breath mnemonic (ATLAS) were highly indicative of cutaneous melanoma recurrence. Limitations included a small sample size and variable follow-up times between recurrent and non-recurrent groups.

Investigators identified a new model that could empower doctors to detect recurrent melanoma earlier, leading to better patient outcomes and potentially reducing unnecessary procedures and costs.

Source: jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(24)02732-4/abstract#%20