| Abstract: |
Melanoma will eventually recur in approximately 15-35 % of patients [1-6]. Metastases are not usually detected until after diagnosis of the primary tumor, but occasionally patients present with metastatic disease without a known primary tumor or with synchronous metastases at the time of diagnosis of the primary tumor. The interval between removal of the primary tumor and identification of initial metastases is usually less than 3 years but is very variable and can, on rare occasion, be more than 30 years [7, 8]. Melanoma can spread by direct local invasion, along anatomical structures such as vascular channels or nerves, through an intra- or perilymphatic route or hematogenously. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. All rights are reserved. |
