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Resection margins of 2 versus 5 cm for cutaneous malignant melanoma with a tumor thickness of 0.8 to 2.0 mm: A randomized study by the Swedish Melanoma Study Group
Author(s) -
Ringborg Ulrik,
Andersson Ronny,
Eldh Jan,
Glaumann Barbro,
Hafström Larsolof,
Jacobsson Sten,
Jönsson PerEbbe,
Johansson Hemming,
Krysander Lennart,
Lagerlöf Bengt
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0142(19960501)77:9<1809::aid-cncr8>3.0.co;2-6
Subject(s) - medicine , melanoma , biopsy , randomized controlled trial , surgery , wide local excision , prospective cohort study , resection margin , radiology , resection , cancer research
BACKGROUND The traditional surgical treatment for primary malignant melanoma has often been a wide excision with a margin of about 5 cm. Since the risk of local recurrences is dependent on tumor thickness, thin tumors (<1 mm) have routinely been excised with a narrow margin. For thick tumors, the optimal resection margin is controversial, and can be determined only by prospective, randomized trials. METHODS The Swedish Melanoma Study Group performed a prospective, randomized multicenter study to evaluate an excision margin of 2 versus 5 cm for patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma with tumor thickness > 0.8 and; cc 2.0 mm. The trial includes 769 patients. Patients with melanomas of the skin of the head, neck, hands, feet, or vulva were not included in the trial. In the event of an excision biopsy for diagnosis, radical surgery was completed within 6 weeks. The median follow‐up time was 5.8 years for estimation of survival and 4.0 years for diagnosis of recurrent disease. RESULTS No significant differences have been observed between the treatment groups regarding local or regional recurrences or survival. CONCLUSIONS We recommend an excision with a margin of 2 cm for cutaneous malignant melanoma with a tumor thickness > 0.8 and; cc 2.0 mm. Cancer 1996;77:1809‐14.