ATLAS: A positive, high-yield review of patient symptoms most significantly associated with melanoma recurrence

Background: No standardized, evidence-based surveillance practices exist to guide and optimize recurrence detection in patients with cutaneous melanoma. Objective: To determine the most high-yield positive review of systems for signaling recurrence in patients with cutaneous melanoma. Methods: This retrospective cohort study assessed patients with a history of cutaneous melanoma and compared demographic and clinical characteristics, including a comprehensive review of systems, among those who experienced recurrence and those who did not. Results: A high-yield positive review of systems associated with cutaneous melanoma recurrence can be remembered using the mnemonic “ATLAS”: Appetite change, Tiredness, Lymph node enlargement, Abdominal pain, and Shortness of breath Limitations: Retrospective design, limited sample size, and variability in follow-up time between recurrent and nonrecurrent cohorts. Conclusion: Any treating physician using this model may have a greater opportunity to detect recurrent cutaneous melanoma and improve outcomes while limiting cost and morbidity.