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Who should do my wide excision?
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Who should do my wide excision?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Who should do my wide excision?

  • Post
    • July 31, 2014 at 3:07 pm
    Tracy Chicago
    Participant

      Hi! I had my second melanoma removed (level 1) and it's pretty small. Who should I have do my wide excision?  My choices are a plastic surgeon who specializes in melanoma or a surgical oncoglogist.  Would a surgical oncologist be over kill for a melanoma that was less than 1mm?

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    • Replies
        • July 31, 2014 at 3:29 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          So a "Level 1" melanoma is "in situ".  Stage 0.  My derm has done the WLE for these.  They basically only need 5mm margins.   I don't think there is a right answer, any of the choices can do it.  Pick whichever doc you prefer.  Most likely this can just be done with a local anesthesia.  All my WLEs have been done like this and I just consider them a minor inconvenience. 

            • July 31, 2014 at 3:43 pm
            Tracy Chicago
            Participant

              Thanks, Janner! I was hoping you would reply as I know you've had many experiences with this. Have you ever had lymph node mapping done for your level 1? 

              • July 31, 2014 at 3:43 pm
              Tracy Chicago
              Participant

                Thanks, Janner! I was hoping you would reply as I know you've had many experiences with this. Have you ever had lymph node mapping done for your level 1? 

                • July 31, 2014 at 3:43 pm
                Tracy Chicago
                Participant

                  Thanks, Janner! I was hoping you would reply as I know you've had many experiences with this. Have you ever had lymph node mapping done for your level 1? 

                • July 31, 2014 at 3:29 pm
                Janner
                Participant

                  So a "Level 1" melanoma is "in situ".  Stage 0.  My derm has done the WLE for these.  They basically only need 5mm margins.   I don't think there is a right answer, any of the choices can do it.  Pick whichever doc you prefer.  Most likely this can just be done with a local anesthesia.  All my WLEs have been done like this and I just consider them a minor inconvenience. 

                  • July 31, 2014 at 3:29 pm
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    So a "Level 1" melanoma is "in situ".  Stage 0.  My derm has done the WLE for these.  They basically only need 5mm margins.   I don't think there is a right answer, any of the choices can do it.  Pick whichever doc you prefer.  Most likely this can just be done with a local anesthesia.  All my WLEs have been done like this and I just consider them a minor inconvenience. 

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