American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

In the follow-up for stage 3 melanoma, the primary focus is on monitoring for any signs of recurrence or metastasis. The use of a complete blood count (CBC) is relevant as it provides valuable information that can indicate changes in the patient's overall health, such as anemia or infection. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels are particularly important as elevated LDH can indicate tumor burden or the presence of metastatic disease. Imaging studies like CT of the abdomen/pelvis and PET scans are essential in assessing the spread of melanoma, especially in a patient with advanced disease like stage 3.

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is generally not a routine part of melanoma follow-up care unless the patient has specific symptoms or risk factors that warrant cardiac evaluation. While it may be important for assessing heart health in patients with certain conditions or histories, it does not directly contribute to the monitoring of melanoma progression and is therefore not typically included in the standard follow-up tests for this cancer stage.