RT Journal
A1 Abdelmalek M, Loosemore MP, Hurt MA, Hruza G
T1 Geometric staged excision for the treatment of lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma: A long-term experience with literature review
JF Archives of Dermatology
JO Archives of Dermatology
YR 2012
FD May 1
VO 148
IS 5
SP 599
OP 604
DO 10.1001/archdermatol.2011.2155
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archdermatol.2011.2155
AB Objective 
                  To ascertain and clarify the effectiveness and advantages of the geometric staged excision technique for the removal of lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM).Design 
                  This was a retrospective review of a patient database composed of 293 cases of LM and LMM.Setting 
                  The Laser and Dermatologic Surgery Center in St Louis, Missouri, an academic-affiliated, private dermatologic surgery center.Patients 
                  All patients with a diagnosis of LM and LMM treated by staged excision from 1999 to 2007.Main Outcome Measures 
                  The overall rate of recrudescence, margins required for clearance, stages required for clearance, and lesional characteristics were examined.Results 
                  The rate of recrudescence after geometric staged excision was 1.7% (4/239), with a mean of 32.3 months of follow-up. The mean margin to clearance after excision was 6.6 mm for LM and 8.2 mm for LMM. A total of 11.7% of LMM was initially diagnosed as LM on biopsy, with the invasive component discovered during the excision.Conclusions 
                  Geometric staged excision is an optimal method of removal of LM and LMM given its low rate of recrudescence and ability for complete examination of the peripheral and deep margins of the specimens.