Melanoma

Groin dissection

“…A series of studies [1][2][3][4]Dillard and Spratt, unpublished data] ensued, culminating in 1965 [5]. Subsequently, additional studies have led to further insight into indications and a slight modification in surgical technique for some situations [6][7][8]. As will be discussed, studies reported by others since 1965 have further defined the indications and led to modifications in technique.…”

“…A total of 148 patients were available for study, with cancers in various anatomical sites: penis, vulva, vagina, melanoma, anus, and the lower extremity (epidermoid carcinomas). Later studies reported additional patients with melanoma and cancer of the penis [6,7]. The working hypothesis was that the probability of metastasis to inguinal lymph nodes was a function of the surface area of the neoplasm that was in contact with the lymphatics.…”

“…From the estimated doubling times of pulmonary metastases from melanomas, we theorized that survivorship would range from 280 to 5,640 days with 95% confidence and from 160 to 11,800 days with 99% confidence. The median survivorship from onset would be 1,720 days [6]. There exists a strong possibility that the major determinant of survivorship with melanoma is its rate of growth.…”

Malignant Melanoma

“…The highest figures for 5-year survival, of about 35%, were reported so far by Sylven [22] and by Knutson et al [11]. Slightly higher survival was achieved by a combined surgical-radiotherapeutic approach, described by Dickson [7], This author treated stage 1 and II patients with a wide excision of the primary tumor and the immediate lymph drainage areas, followed by radiation therapy to all areas which showed disease in histologic exami nation, and the 5-year survival in this series was41%.…”

Malignant Melanoma: To Biopsy or Not To Biopsy

“…Knutson et al also found that the survival curves were similar among those who had previous biopsy, whether incisional or excisional, and those who didnot. 9 Once a lesion is diagnosed as malig nant melanoma by tissue biopsy, it is prudent to proceed with proper treat ment. Undue delay and prolonged pro crastination in obtaining definitive sur gery is to be avoided.…”