Primary Cutaneous Melanoma

Melanoma presents a significant health burden as its incidence continues to rise in both sexes and remains the most common cause of skin cancer–related death. Risk factors for the development of melanoma include sun exposure, fair complexion, increasing age, previous melanoma, multiple dysplastic nevi, and familial syndromes. Wide local excision is the standard of care for those with early forms of melanoma, with sentinel lymph node biopsy in appropriate populations. Sentinel lymph node status contributes to the discussion as to whether to pursue completion lymphadenectomy. This review outlines surgical treatment of primary cutaneous melanoma, including wide local excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and completion lymphadenectomy.   This review contains 10 figures, 4 tables and 33 references Key words: biopsy, cutaneous, lymphadenectomy, margin, melanoma, pathology, primary, sentinel node, surgery, treatment