Scalpel excision of primary cutaneous malignant melanomas without metastasis.

Views and opinions about surgical treatment of primary malignant melanomas that are without local spread or metastasis are presented. An attempt is made to determine the limitations of office-based dermatologists in the treatment of malignant melanomas of this stage. Using accepted criteria for clinical recognition of malignant melanomas early, it is suggested that surgical excisions of small malignant melanomas that are judged to be complete obviate preliminary biopsies and furnish surgical specimens that can be read histopathologically for confirmation of clinical diagnosis and adequacy of excision.