Real-world clinical outcomes of patients with stage IIB or IIC cutaneous melanoma treated at US community oncology clinics

Abstract

Aim: To describe clinical outcomes after complete surgical resection of stage IIB and IIC melanoma. Methods: Adult patients (n = 567) with stage IIB or IIC cutaneous melanoma initially diagnosed and completely resected from 2008–2017 were identified using data from a US community-based oncology network. Results: Median patient follow-up was 38.8 months from melanoma resection to death, last visit or data cut-off (31 December 2020). For stage IIB (n = 375; 66%), Kaplan–Meier median real-world recurrence-free survival (rwRFS) was 58.6 months (95% CI, 48.6–69.5). For stage IIC (n = 192; 34%), median rwRFS was 29.9 months (24.9–45.5). Overall, 44% of patients had melanoma recurrence or died; 30% developed distant metastases. Conclusion: Melanoma recurrence was common, highlighting the need for effective adjuvant therapy for stage IIB and IIC melanoma.