SURGICAL TREATMENT OF MELANOMA

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Plastic Surgery

Background:

• Malignant melanoma incidence is increasing globally.
• Surgical excision is the primary treatment for melanoma.
• Plastic surgeons are crucial for defect closure after melanoma removal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline malignant melanoma treatment options from a plastic surgeon's perspective.
• To provide recommendations on surgical margins and sentinel lymph node biopsy.
• To emphasize multidisciplinary care in melanoma management.

Main Methods:

• Review of current guidelines for melanoma excision and safety margins.
• Discussion of indications for sentinel lymph node biopsy based on Breslow depth.
• Outline of TNM staging and adjuvant therapy considerations.

Main Results:

• Specific safety margins recommended: 0.5 cm for melanoma in situ, 1 cm for Breslow ≤2 mm, and 2 cm for Breslow >2 mm.
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy indicated for Breslow >1 mm or high-risk melanomas with Breslow >0.75 mm.
• Adjuvant therapy recommended for TNM stage IIB and above.

Conclusions:

• Effective malignant melanoma management requires precise surgical techniques and adherence to established guidelines.
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy and adjuvant therapy are critical for staging and treatment.
• Close collaboration among dermatologists, oncologists, and plastic surgeons ensures optimal patient outcomes.