Safe margins for melanoma excision.
The oft-quoted 5-cm rule for melanoma excision is not valid. Substitute guidelines are offered and their scientific basis is discussed. A 1-2-3-cm rule is carefully outlined in terms of maximum rather than minimum margins, because little evidence exists to support the importance of wide excision limits in the treatment of melanoma.
D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008722:Methods; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*