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The Landmark Series: Randomized Trials Examining Surgical Margins for Cutaneous Melanoma

  • Melanoma
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Abstract

Between 1980 and 2004, six randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) have been performed to evaluate the width of surgical margin excision for primary cutaneous melanoma and its influence on recurrence and survival. These trials have led to the current recommendation of not more than a 2-cm margin excision and have allowed reduced morbidity of surgery for primary melanoma. Long-term follow-up data has been published which has led to impactful knowledge of the natural history of this disease, yet controversy remains for 1- to 2-mm thickness melanomas. Interpretation of these trials must be done in light of them enrolling patients before the use of sentinel node biopsy and contemporary immunotherapy regimens. These RCTs as well as a contemporary, actively enrolling trial are summarized and discussed in this review.

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Reproduced from: Cancer 89:1495–501, 2000

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Reproduced from: Cancer 97:1941–6, 2003

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Reproduced from: Lancet Oncol 17:184–192, 2016

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Reproduced from: Lancet 378:1635–42, 2011

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    C. V. Angeles MD

  2. Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA

    S. L. Wong MD, MS

  3. Department of Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    G. Karakousis MD

Authors
  1. C. V. Angeles MD
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  2. S. L. Wong MD, MS
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  3. G. Karakousis MD
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Correspondence to G. Karakousis MD.

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Angeles, C.V., Wong, S.L. & Karakousis, G. The Landmark Series: Randomized Trials Examining Surgical Margins for Cutaneous Melanoma. Ann Surg Oncol 27, 3–12 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-019-07866-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-019-07866-y

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