1 or 2cm margin for WLE?

Hi there

I had a melanoma removed from my foot last year, subsequently graded stage 3B. I was offered the option to take part in a clinical study that is looking at the efficacy of 1cm vs 2cm WLEs. As I understand it, 1cm is standard practice on the continent; 2cm has been the norm in the UK. It’s a randomised study so I couldn't opt for 1cm but computer said yes and I got it. It was a relief as 2cm would have taken away a large chunk of my size 4 foot! I still needed a skin graft as the melanoma was on my sole. I’ve had no recurrence so far (18 months on). 

So a slightly different experience from yours but I hope the info above helps. 

All the best for your surgery

This is exactly the kind of response I was looking for, thank you. Have you ended up having adjuvant therapy? I’d be interested in your experiences. Was your melanoma nodular? Were you staged 3b because of any micro satellites?

I had a year of immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) - a treatment every six weeks, nine in total. Mine was accral lentiginous melanoma which can be quite aggressive (it’s the one Bob Marley had ). No micro satellites - I was stage 3 because cancer cells were found after a SLNB of my groin. Immunotherapy was ok, lots of side effects and it was quite psychologically draining but I am glad I had it. I wanted to do everything I could to prevent a recurrence. Happy to answer any other questions you have. Where are you being treated? 

Thanks again, really, really helpful. I’ve been told they will treat me with immuno as if it was in my lymph nodes (so they won’t be doing SNLB in my WLE next week) because of my 2 micro satellites. It’s also helpful to hear that the immuno can be psychologically draining and to try to be prepared for that. I’m hoping my side effects won’t be too bad as I’m full time with my children (9 and 6 who are home educated and my eldest has high support special needs). I’m being treated in Northern Ireland