Optimal size of resection margin for thin cutaneous melanoma.

The width of the resection margin for 62 melanomas less than 0.76 millimeter thick ranged from 0.10 to 5.50 centimeters, with 32 per cent being 1.0 centimeter or less. None of these patients has a local recurrence or metastases develop. It appears that these thin tumors should be treated conservatively, the size of the resection margin being dependent upon the anatomic location of the tumor. In most instances, skin grafting should not be necessary.