A new protocol for the treatment of stage I cutaneous malignant melanoma; interim results of the first 806 patients treated.

A protocol is described which has been used in a prospective study of 806 patients with stage I malignant melanoma. Excisional biopsies are performed as soon as possible and Breslow thickness and Clark's levels determined. Patients are allocated to low, medium and high risk groups and definitive excision is carried out with a clearance of 2, 20 and 50 mm respectively. Preliminary results are reported on the 806 patients treated over 7 years in three plastic surgery units. No local recurrences have occurred so far in the low and medium risk groups, which suggests that the protocol is safe.