Melanoma Margins: The Importance and Need for More Evidence-Based Trials

Commentary on: Excision margins in high-risk malignant melanoma

Thomas JM, Newton-Bishop J, A'Hern R, et al, for the United Kingdom Melanoma Study Group, the British Association of Plastic Surgeons, and the Scottish Cancer Therapy Network

N Engl J Med. 2004;350:757-766.

Question: In patients with primary cutaneous melanoma 2 mm or thicker, is there a significant difference in recurrence and/or survival for excision with 1- vs 3-cm margins?