Our Philosophy on Melanoma Excision
At AR Plastic Surgery, the surgical treatment of melanoma is carefully planned with a focus on accuracy, safety, and clear communication. Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that can spread if not treated early, so timely and appropriate surgery is important. We follow current national and international guidelines for wide local excision, adjusting the margins based on how deep the melanoma is. This approach helps reduce the risk of the melanoma returning near the original site.
The surgeons who operate at AR Plastic Surgery have experience in the management of primary melanoma. Each case is assessed individually, ensuring that the treatment plan reflects the lesion’s location, characteristics, and depth of invasion. Where appropriate, a multidisciplinary approach may be considered, particularly for thicker melanomas or those with high-risk features.
Our philosophy is built on clear communication and patient education. We ensure patients understand their diagnosis, the reasoning behind wide local excision, the surgical margins recommended, and the steps involved in wound management and surveillance. We aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the surgical process and its role in long-term melanoma control.
Understanding Melanoma and the Role of Wide Local Excision
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that starts in pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. It can appear on its own or develop from an existing mole. If not treated early, it can spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. A biopsy is used to confirm the diagnosis and measure how deep the melanoma is in the skin—this depth, known as Breslow thickness, helps determine how much surrounding tissue should be removed during surgery and guides further treatment planning.
Wide local excision is performed following a confirmed diagnosis of melanoma. The purpose of this procedure is to remove any remaining melanoma cells at the original biopsy site along with a margin of normal surrounding tissue. This approach helps to reduce the risk of local recurrence and provides tissue for further pathological assessment. The width of the excision margin is determined by the thickness of the melanoma, following evidence-based clinical guidelines.
Wide local excision is distinct from a diagnostic biopsy. It is a therapeutic procedure aimed at complete local clearance of the disease. In some cases, particularly for intermediate or thick melanomas, sentinel lymph node biopsy may also be considered. This decision is made during pre-operative planning based on staging and referral guidelines.
