Surgical approach to primary cutaneous melanoma.
The surgical management of primary cutaneous melanoma, from the diagnostic biopsy through the wide local excision and nodal staging, must be carefully planned, and the biology of the melanoma, microstaging and primary tumor pathologic features of the melanoma, location on the body, patient preferences, and comorbidities must be considered. The treating surgeon must balance preservation of oncologic principles, with optimization of functional and aesthetic outcome. This article reviews the rationale behind the surgical approach in the patient with a primary melanoma.
Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York University Cancer Institute, 160 East 34th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Patrick A
PA
Ott
Russell S
RS
Berman
D006801:Humans; D018327:Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*