Borderline Intermediary Thickness Cutaneous Melanoma: Standard Approach and The New Possibilities for Removal in one Surgical Session

Here we present a case of a 48-year-old female with a melanocytic lesion on the lateral aspect of the right thigh [Figure 1a-1d]. The patient observed a steady growth of the lesion over the last few years and attended our clinic for a dermatological consultation in March 2021. She was otherwise healthy and she reported anamnestic data was unremarkable. On examination of the lateral femoral region of the right thigh, the presence of a single, nodular, hyperpigmented lesion of 1.5cm was noted. The dome shaped lesion was dark brown in colour, smooth and elevated on palpation, and well demarcated from surrounding healthy tissue. Based on the clinical and dermatoscopical findings, a nodular melanoma of intermediate thickness was suspected. Further laboratory workup was conducted and showed no significant deviations from normal paraclinical values. Screening was also negative for tumour spread. All other paraclinical data was unremarkable. Diagnostic work up including CT of the thorax and abdomen detected no metastatic dissemination. The standard two step approaches based on the current AJCC guidelines was employed. The primary excision was performed with 0.5 cm safety margins in all directions [Figure 1e-f]. The elliptical defect was subsequently closed by single interrupted sutures. Histopathological verification confirmed the diagnosis of a nodular malignant melanoma, pT2b N0M0, stage 1B, Clark IV, Breslow thickness of 2mm, without ulceration, with high mitotic activity, well defined lymphocytic stromal reaction and clean resection margins.