Title: Conservative surgical management of superficially invasive cutaneous melanoma
Abstract: CancerVolume 53, Issue 6 p. 1256-1259 ArticleFree Access Conservative surgical management of superficially invasive cutaneous melanoma A. Benedict Cosimi MD, Corresponding Author A. Benedict Cosimi MD The Departments of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114===Search for more papers by this authorArthur J. Sober MD, Arthur J. Sober MD The Departments of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114Search for more papers by this authorMartin C. Mihm MD, Martin C. Mihm MD The Departments of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114 The Departments of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114Search for more papers by this authorThomas B. Fitzpatrick MD, Thomas B. Fitzpatrick MD The Departments of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114Search for more papers by this author A. Benedict Cosimi MD, Corresponding Author A. Benedict Cosimi MD The Departments of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114===Search for more papers by this authorArthur J. Sober MD, Arthur J. Sober MD The Departments of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114Search for more papers by this authorMartin C. Mihm MD, Martin C. Mihm MD The Departments of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114 The Departments of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114Search for more papers by this authorThomas B. Fitzpatrick MD, Thomas B. Fitzpatrick MD The Departments of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114Search for more papers by this author First published: 15 March 1984 https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(19840315)53:6<1256::AID-CNCR2820530607>3.0.CO;2-6Citations: 43AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract Between 1976 and 1980, 136 patients were evaluated for primary treatment of cutaneous melanoma. Forty-nine lesions were invasive to Clark's Level II (38 patients) or III (II patients) with a thickness of 0.3 to 1.2 mm. Conservative re-excision was advised as definitive therapy for these patients. The margin of resection was defined as the maximum excision that would allow primary closure of the wound. Pathology reports of the re-excised specimens revealed the narrowest margins to be 0.7 to 4 cm. Unexpected residual tumor was present in 2 specimens and melanocytic hyperplasia in 12 specimens. After a follow-up period of 2.5 to 7.0 years, there have been no local recurrences. One patient developed regional lymph node metastases 16 months and, then central nervous system (CNS) metastases 25 months after primary treatment. A second patient died with pulmonary metastases 4.5 years after initial therapy. Melanomas that are not deeply invasive do not require wide excision and skin grafting for local control. Occasionally these thin lesions do produce systemic metastases, emphasizing the need for long-term follow-up of even "low-risk" patients. Cancer53:1256–1259, 1984. Cancer 53:1256-1259, 1984. Citing Literature Volume53, Issue615 March 1984Pages 1256-1259 ReferencesRelatedInformation