Melanoma today does not require radical surgery.
From this study we conclude that melanoma has a more favorable outcome today than 20 years ago, 2 cm margins around the tumor achieve acceptable survival and local recurrence rates, primary closure is preferred when possible, elective regional node dissection is of questionable value, and further trials are warranted to determine optimal therapy for intermediate thickness melanoma.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*