I had an excision with a 3mm margin. Dermatologist feels I should have another excision with a 1 cm margin. Head and neck surgeons disagree and feel this is adequate even though 1 cm is recommended. If head and neck surgeon does it, he wants to do it right away but I read that it can be done in 3 month time frame.
There is a reason for 1 cm margins, it has been studied. I know there were some clinical trials that were researching smaller margins but without those results, I personally wouldn't feel comfortable. Surgery is the best cure available for melanoma. However, since you have supposedly clean margins now, I don't think there is any big rush to have another re-excision unless the doc thinks the healing will be better with your fresh versus healed wound.
There is a reason for 1 cm margins, it has been studied. I know there were some clinical trials that were researching smaller margins but without those results, I personally wouldn't feel comfortable. Surgery is the best cure available for melanoma. However, since you have supposedly clean margins now, I don't think there is any big rush to have another re-excision unless the doc thinks the healing will be better with your fresh versus healed wound.
There is a reason for 1 cm margins, it has been studied. I know there were some clinical trials that were researching smaller margins but without those results, I personally wouldn't feel comfortable. Surgery is the best cure available for melanoma. However, since you have supposedly clean margins now, I don't think there is any big rush to have another re-excision unless the doc thinks the healing will be better with your fresh versus healed wound.
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