A 10-year recurrence-free natural course of high-risk stage II cutaneous melanoma: A case report

IF 1.8 Q3 SURGERY

JPRAS Open Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-21 DOI:10.1016/j.jpra.2025.11.029

Benedikt Bauer , Marcel Mayrhofer , Maximilian Zarfl , Lars-Peter Kamolz , Hanna Luze , Sebastian Philipp Nischwitz

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

pT4b melanoma of the skin, especially the nodular subtype with present ulceration, typically entails a poor prognosis with high risk for metastatic spread. The accuracy of classic risk prediction models lacks at times. When situated in the face, these malignancies can pose a specific challenge to reconstructive surgeons. Profound fears of cancer treatment further complicate the management of these cases.

Case presentation

We present a case of facial reconstruction in a 58-year-old female patient with a high-risk stage II melanoma with recurrence-free survival (RFS) despite an almost 10-year delay of surgical treatment due to existential fears.

Conclusions

The presented case provides several key takeaways. First, from a dermatological standpoint, clinicians must expect the unexpected and should look for explanations. Second, from a reconstructive view, complex cases are rarely linear—staged revisions, and setbacks are integral to surgical success. Finally, from a human perspective, sincere empathy, and emotional intelligence are indispensable.

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10年无复发的高风险II期皮肤黑色素瘤自然病程：1例报告

背景：皮肤pt4b黑色素瘤，尤其是结节型伴溃疡的黑色素瘤，通常预后差，转移扩散风险高。经典的风险预测模型有时缺乏准确性。当位于面部时，这些恶性肿瘤会对重建外科医生构成特殊的挑战。对癌症治疗的深切恐惧使这些病例的管理进一步复杂化。病例介绍：我们报告一例58岁女性高危II期黑色素瘤患者的面部重建，尽管由于存在恐惧而延迟了近10年的手术治疗，但患者无复发生存（RFS）。本案例提供了几个关键结论。首先，从皮肤病学的角度来看，临床医生必须预料到意想不到的情况，并应该寻找解释。其次，从重建的角度来看，复杂的病例很少是线性阶段的修复，挫折是手术成功的组成部分。最后，从人类的角度来看，真诚的同理心和情商是不可或缺的。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

JPRAS Open Medicine-Surgery

CiteScore

1.60

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

22 weeks

期刊介绍： JPRAS Open is an international, open access journal dedicated to publishing case reports, short communications, and full-length articles. JPRAS Open will provide the most current source of information and references in plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery. The Journal is based on the continued need to improve surgical care by providing highlights in general reconstructive surgery; cleft lip, palate and craniofacial surgery; head and neck surgery; skin cancer; breast surgery; hand surgery; lower limb trauma; burns; and aesthetic surgery. The Journal will provide authors with fast publication times.