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From Centimeters to Millimeters: The Evolution of the Surgical Margins for Melanoma-A Historical Review
Amanda Rosenthal1, Margit Juhasz1,2, Gary Lask3
1Department of Dermatology, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
Background:
With an improved understanding of tumor biology and behavior, the recommended margins for the surgical treatment of melanoma have evolved.
Objective:
We describe the progression of these surgical margins, detailing the historical basis for the 5-cm margin and transitioning to current practice, in which Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) with immunohistochemistry (IHC) has become increasingly used.
Methods/Materials:
We searched PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published between January 2019 and April 2023 describing the use of MMS for melanoma in situ (MIS) and invasive melanomas.
Results:
We identified 12 articles focusing on the use of MMS for MIS and invasive melanomas: 3 meta-analyses and 9 retrospective studies. Two retrospective analyses documented no differences in overall survival between MMS and wide local excision (WLE) and 2 found improved overall survival for MMS compared with WLE. Three retrospective analyses and 3 meta-analyses demonstrated low recurrence rates after the use of MMS for both MIS and invasive melanomas. Finally, 2 retrospective studies documented the success of MMS with IHC using MART-1.
Conclusion:
Over the past century, the surgical margins for the treatment of melanoma have undergone a marked transformation. MMS with IHC has become increasingly popular given its ability to reliably produce superior clinical outcomes.
