Biomaterial Database

Safe margins for melanoma excision. 1985

J C Fisher

The oft-quoted 5-cm rule for melanoma excision is not valid. Substitute guidelines are offered and their scientific basis is discussed. A 1-2-3-cm rule is carefully outlined in terms of maximum rather than minimum margins, because little evidence exists to support the importance of wide excision limits in the treatment of melanoma.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008545	Melanoma	A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445)	Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D008722	Methods	A series of steps taken in order to conduct research.	Techniques,Methodological Studies,Methodological Study,Procedures,Studies, Methodological,Study, Methodological,Method,Procedure,Technique
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012878	Skin Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the SKIN.	Cancer of Skin,Skin Cancer,Cancer of the Skin,Neoplasms, Skin,Cancer, Skin,Cancers, Skin,Neoplasm, Skin,Skin Cancers,Skin Neoplasm
D062109	Dermatologic Surgical Procedures	Operative procedures performed on the SKIN.	Cutaneous Surgery,Cutaneous Surgical Procedures,Dermatologic Surgery,Skin Surgery,Cutaneous Surgeries,Cutaneous Surgical Procedure,Dermatologic Surgeries,Dermatologic Surgical Procedure,Procedure, Cutaneous Surgical,Procedure, Dermatologic Surgical,Procedures, Cutaneous Surgical,Procedures, Dermatologic Surgical,Skin Surgeries,Surgeries, Cutaneous,Surgeries, Dermatologic,Surgeries, Skin,Surgery, Cutaneous,Surgery, Dermatologic,Surgery, Skin,Surgical Procedure, Cutaneous,Surgical Procedure, Dermatologic,Surgical Procedures, Cutaneous,Surgical Procedures, Dermatologic