Surgical Margins, Help!
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Surgical Margins, Help!

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Surgical Margins, Help!

  • Post
    • October 26, 2016 at 8:46 pm
    upsidedown16
    Participant

      I recently had my wide excision and 1 cm margins where used based on the information the shave biopsy provided. However, the tumor thickness, based on pathology report, revealed the margins shoud have been 2 cm as the melanoma was greater than 2 mm in thickness but my surgeon says we have enough margin that is clear and further surgery is not necessary at this time.

      Should I seek a second opinion? My surgery was done through the Navy and now I am wondering if I should seek a second opinion through a civilian location. I have tried to locate guidelines for what the standards are for clear margins are but I am unable to find exactly what I am looking for. If anyone of has any links available that provide information on safety margins for clearance please let share. 

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 26, 2016 at 8:55 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          Clear margins for a lesion over 2mm should be 2cm.  Tough call on a redo because there will be a significantly larger chunk removed in order to close the wound.  Could be many inches longer.  I think you could send your pathology slides to another site for a second opinion OR you could seek a 2nd opinion from another doc.  Surgery still is the best treatment for melanoma so I think asking the quesion of another expert is a good call.

          • October 26, 2016 at 8:55 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            Clear margins for a lesion over 2mm should be 2cm.  Tough call on a redo because there will be a significantly larger chunk removed in order to close the wound.  Could be many inches longer.  I think you could send your pathology slides to another site for a second opinion OR you could seek a 2nd opinion from another doc.  Surgery still is the best treatment for melanoma so I think asking the quesion of another expert is a good call.

            • October 26, 2016 at 8:55 pm
            Janner
            Participant

              Clear margins for a lesion over 2mm should be 2cm.  Tough call on a redo because there will be a significantly larger chunk removed in order to close the wound.  Could be many inches longer.  I think you could send your pathology slides to another site for a second opinion OR you could seek a 2nd opinion from another doc.  Surgery still is the best treatment for melanoma so I think asking the quesion of another expert is a good call.

              • October 27, 2016 at 11:42 am
              debwray
              Participant

                Hi,

                Can see your dilemma.

                This research paper addresses the issues

                 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4737890/

                and might help you decide.  I would probably seek a second opinion and make sure you have details of the miotic rate, ulceration and other features that might suggest a less favourable prognosis that might nudge you towards greater margins.

                Good luck

                Deb

                • October 27, 2016 at 11:42 am
                debwray
                Participant

                  Hi,

                  Can see your dilemma.

                  This research paper addresses the issues

                   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4737890/

                  and might help you decide.  I would probably seek a second opinion and make sure you have details of the miotic rate, ulceration and other features that might suggest a less favourable prognosis that might nudge you towards greater margins.

                  Good luck

                  Deb

                  • October 27, 2016 at 11:42 am
                  debwray
                  Participant

                    Hi,

                    Can see your dilemma.

                    This research paper addresses the issues

                     https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4737890/

                    and might help you decide.  I would probably seek a second opinion and make sure you have details of the miotic rate, ulceration and other features that might suggest a less favourable prognosis that might nudge you towards greater margins.

                    Good luck

                    Deb

                Viewing 5 reply threads
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