A 2-cm resection margin is sufficient for melanomas thicker than 2 mm.
Prospective surgical trials provide the cornerstones of current practice guidelines for cutaneous melanoma (JW Dermatol Oct 28 2011). In two prior assessments of optimal margins of excision for intermediate-thickness cutaneous melanomas (Ann Surg Oncol 2001; 8:101, and N Engl J Med 2004; 350:757), results were mixed: In the first study, survival rates did not differ significantly with 2-cm vs. 4-cm margins; and in the second, a 1-cm margin was associated with a significantly greater risk for regional recurrence than a 3-cm margin, but with similar overall survival. Thus, the optimal excision margin for cutaneous melanomas thicker than 2 mm remained unresolved.
The Swedish Melanoma Study Group, in cooperation with the Danish Melanoma Group, a…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant / advisory board Lubax; WorldCare Clinical
EquityLubax
Grant / Research support NIH; Department of Defense; American Skin Association; Piramal
Editorial boardsBritish Journal of Dermatology; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Skin Cancer and Melanoma Committee); American Board of Dermatology (Director)
DisclosuresConsultant / advisory board Lubax; WorldCare Clinical
EquityLubax
Grant / Research support NIH; Department of Defense; American Skin Association; Piramal
Editorial boardsBritish Journal of Dermatology; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Skin Cancer and Melanoma Committee); American Board of Dermatology (Director)