MelmarT Melanoma Margins Trial Investigating 1cm v 2cm Wide Excision Margins for Primary Cutaneous Melanoma

To be able to take part in this study, you need to be an adult (18 years or older) and have been diagnosed with a primary invasive skin melanoma that is at least 1mm thick. Importantly, your melanoma must have been completely removed already with a small margin, and there must be enough healthy skin around the area for a 2cm margin to be technically possible.

There are also some other important points: You must be able to understand the study and agree to take part, and be able to keep up with the follow-up appointments. You should also be generally well, and your doctors will need to assess that you are expected to live at least 10 more years (not counting the melanoma itself).

If you have had other cancers in the past, you might still be able to join. This is usually allowed if your previous cancer was successfully treated, hasn't returned for at least five years (unless it was a certain type of skin or cervical cancer that was fully treated), and your doctor believes there's a very low chance of it coming back.

If you decide to take part in this study, you will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will have 1cm of healthy skin removed around your melanoma, and the other group will have 2cm removed. This decision is made by chance, like flipping a coin, to ensure a fair comparison. The main surgery, including checking some lymph nodes if needed, must happen within 120 days (about 4 months) of your original diagnosis.

After your surgery, you will have regular check-ups with your medical team. These appointments will involve monitoring your recovery, checking for any signs of the melanoma returning, and asking about your quality of life and any side effects you might be experiencing. The study will follow your health over several years to gather all the necessary information, although the precise total duration of your involvement isn't specified here, it will involve long-term follow-up.