In a local survey it was noticed that there are widely varying practices in terms of excision margins for skin cancers. With this in mind, we are conducting a survey of SDS member practice in the margins they routinely take for skin cancers. There are several guidelines (ie SIGN, BAD) based on a number of different publications and studies. With experience and results on long term follow up it will be interesting to see what actual routine practice is, and whether this reflects published suggested guidelines. Completion of the form is likely to take less than a minute and results are anonymised.
First- please give some details-
Grade
Registrar Staff Grade / Associate Specialist Consultant Other
Do you carry out skin surgery ? Yes No
If NO, you do not need to complete the rest of this survey, just click submit at the bottom of this page. Thank you.
How many dermatology skin surgery procedures would you carry out in an average month ?
<10 10-20 21-30 >30
Are you a member of the BSDS (British Society for Dermatological Surgery) Yes No
A short survey of practice follows- in each situation select the margin you are most likely to take based on your current standard practice (not simply the guideline recommended margin)
Excision margin
1 mm 2 mm 3 mm 4 mm > 4 mm
Case 2
A primary well defined squamous cell carcinoma measuring 1 cm on a low risk site ie cheek
1 mm 2 mm 3 mm 4 mm >4 mm
Case 3
A primary well defined squamous cell carcinoma measuring 1 cm on a high risk site ie ear
2mm 3mm 4mm 5mm 6mm >6mm
Case 4
The initial diagnostic excision biopsy of a suspected superficial spreading melanoma on a forearm
1mm 2mm 3mm 4mm 5mm >5mm
Please now click the submit button below to complete
Thank you. Results will be available shortly
Dr Grant Wylie ( ST3 West of Scotland)
Supervising Consultant- Dr Goutam Dawn