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Real members of MyMelanomaTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
August 30
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A MyMelanomaTeam Member

How will I know what to look for if this metastasizes to an internal organ? Should I be regularly tested, beyond my dermatologist, for it?

August 30
MyMelanomaTeam

What is the likelihood of metastasis in stage 3 melanoma 20 years after surgery and interferon treatment?

This is a really important question, and it's great that you're thinking about long-term outcomes. The honest answer is that there isn't a simple number for this specific scenario — most survival data is reported at Show Full Answer

What is the likelihood of metastasis in stage 3 melanoma 20 years after surgery and interferon treatment?

This is a really important question, and it's great that you're thinking about long-term outcomes. The honest answer is that there isn't a simple number for this specific scenario — most survival data is reported at the 5-year mark, not 20 years out.

Here's what the data does tell us about stage 3 (regional) melanoma survival over time:

- (Phone number can only be seen by the question and answer creators)% five-year survival rate
- (Phone number can only be seen by the question and answer creators)% five-year survival rate
- (Phone number can only be seen by the question and answer creators)% five-year survival rate

The trend is clearly moving in the right direction, which is encouraging. It's also worth knowing that survival rates for advanced melanoma have doubled in the past 20 years, largely thanks to newer targeted therapies and immunotherapies. This means the outlook continues to improve.

That said, these statistics describe large groups of people and can't predict what happens for any one individual. Factors like your overall health, how your body responded to treatment, and access to care all play a role.

The best person to speak with about your personal long-term risk is your oncologist, who knows the full picture of your case. They can give you a much more tailored answer than any statistic can.

August 30

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