excision margin for Stage 1B melanoma
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excision margin for Stage 1B melanoma

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › excision margin for Stage 1B melanoma

  • Post
    • December 3, 2016 at 6:46 pm
    Barb Benrom
    Participant

    I had an excision with a 3mm margin. Dermatologist feels I should have another excision with a 1 cm margin. Head and neck surgeons disagree and feel this is adequate even though 1 cm is recommended. If head and neck surgeon does it, he wants to do it right away but I read that it can be done in 3 month time frame.  

     

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  • Replies
      • December 3, 2016 at 6:58 pm
      gregor913
      Participant
      I would probaly do the bigger margintobe on the safe side. Just a little bit more cutting. And could save you the headaches in the long run.
      • December 3, 2016 at 6:58 pm
      gregor913
      Participant
      I would probaly do the bigger margintobe on the safe side. Just a little bit more cutting. And could save you the headaches in the long run.
      • December 3, 2016 at 6:58 pm
      gregor913
      Participant
      I would probaly do the bigger margintobe on the safe side. Just a little bit more cutting. And could save you the headaches in the long run.
      • December 3, 2016 at 9:39 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      There is a reason for 1 cm margins, it has been studied.  I know there were some clinical trials that were researching smaller margins but without those results, I personally wouldn't feel comfortable.  Surgery is the best cure available for melanoma.  However, since you have supposedly clean margins now, I don't think there is any big rush to have another re-excision unless the doc thinks the healing will be better with your fresh versus healed wound.

      • December 3, 2016 at 9:39 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      There is a reason for 1 cm margins, it has been studied.  I know there were some clinical trials that were researching smaller margins but without those results, I personally wouldn't feel comfortable.  Surgery is the best cure available for melanoma.  However, since you have supposedly clean margins now, I don't think there is any big rush to have another re-excision unless the doc thinks the healing will be better with your fresh versus healed wound.

        • December 4, 2016 at 1:07 am
        Barb Benrom
        Participant

        Thanks so much for the input.

        • December 4, 2016 at 1:07 am
        Barb Benrom
        Participant

        Thanks so much for the input.

        • December 4, 2016 at 1:07 am
        Barb Benrom
        Participant

        Thanks so much for the input.

      • December 3, 2016 at 9:39 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      There is a reason for 1 cm margins, it has been studied.  I know there were some clinical trials that were researching smaller margins but without those results, I personally wouldn't feel comfortable.  Surgery is the best cure available for melanoma.  However, since you have supposedly clean margins now, I don't think there is any big rush to have another re-excision unless the doc thinks the healing will be better with your fresh versus healed wound.

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