title: Surgical management of malignant melanoma of the trunk and extremities.
abstract: The surgical management of newly diagnosed melanoma should be tailored to the characteristics of the individual lesion. The actual thickness of the lesion is the main consideration in planning surgical treatment. Prophylactic lymphadenectomy is no longer routinely recommended. For early detection of clinically suspicious nodes, however, close follow-up of the patient is necessary so that therapeutic lymphadenectomy can be accomplished. Surgical intervention plays a limited role in the management of disseminated melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Pritchard
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Sim
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm; D001706:Biopsy; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*