What follow-up protocols should be implemented for patients treated for non-melanoma skin cancer to monitor for recurrence?

For patients treated for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, routine follow-up protocols are not explicitly detailed in the provided melanoma-focused guidelines. However, general principles for monitoring recurrence include:

• Clinical examination: Regular full skin and regional lymph node examinations by healthcare professionals skilled in skin cancer assessment are essential to detect recurrence or new primary lesions early. Access to dermoscopy and medical photography can enhance examination accuracy.
• Patient education: Patients should be advised on self-examination techniques, sun protection measures, and the importance of reporting any new or changing lesions promptly.
• Personalised follow-up: Follow-up should be tailored based on individual risk factors such as lesion type, size, location, histological features, and patient history.
• Referral and specialist input: Any suspicious lesions during follow-up should prompt urgent referral via the suspected cancer pathway.

While detailed follow-up schedules are well-defined for melanoma, similar structured protocols for NMSC are less formalised in the referenced guidelines. Therefore, follow-up for NMSC typically involves clinical surveillance and patient education to monitor for recurrence or new lesions, with specialist referral as needed.

This approach aligns with NICE guidance on skin cancer recognition and referral, which emphasises clinical vigilance and timely referral for suspicious lesions, including squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma when clinically indicated ⁶.