Factors influencing time between biopsy and definitive surgery for malignant melanoma: do they impact clinical outcome?

Background Whether time between biopsy and surgery for malignant melanoma affects clinical outcomes is sparsely defined. This study evaluated factors influencing surgical interval and surgical interval effect on outcomes. Methods We performed a review of a prospective 10-year, single-institution database. Results There were 473 patients treated for 478 malignant melanomas. The mean surgical interval was 30.5 days. The mean thickness was 2.1 mm; 46% of patients had a surgical interval of more than 28 days whereas 8% had a surgical interval of more than 56 days. Residual melanoma was found at excision in 170 (36%) patients. Age, sex, and referral source significantly affected surgical interval, however, lesion thickness, sentinel lymph node status, ulceration, and residual melanoma at excision did not. In univariate Cox models, neither a surgical interval of 28 or less nor less than 56 days showed better overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS). In multivariate Cox models of OS and DFS including lesion thickness, sentinel lymph node status, ulceration, and residual melanoma at excision, neither a surgical interval of 28 days or fewer nor a surgical interval of 56 days or fewer significantly affected outcomes. Conclusions Age, sex, referral source, and lesion thickness were associated with surgical interval. Immediate surgery for malignant melanoma does not significantly impact OS or DFS.