The influence of Resection Margin on Prognosis in Clinical Stage I Malignant Melanoma of the Lower Leg

Abstract

The incidence of local recurrence and cumulative survival rate were compared for two groups of patients with stage I malignant melanoma of the lower leg. Group 1 included 119 patients treated from 1964 to 1978 with a wide local excision extending to the ankle. Group 2 included 58 patients treated from 1978 to 1981 with a 5 cm incision margin in all directions. Lesions within both groups were comparable based on measurements of tumor thickness. However, level of invasion indicated significantly more advanced lesions in the first group. Risk of local recurrence was related to thickness and ulceration. There were no statistically significant differences in frequency of local recurrences or cumulative survival rates between the two groups.

Key Words:

• malignant melanoma
• lower leg
• resection margin
• local recurrence
• survival rate