Surgery to remove (excise) melanoma removes the cancer and a border of healthy tissue. In the "Area of excision" picture: The inner circle represents the melanoma and healthy tissue that are excised.

Mohs surgery vs conventional excision was associated with decreased rates of reconstruction with positive margins for hand and foot melanoma.

Use of SLNB for pure desmoplastic melanoma remains controversial. Accuracy of SLNB may be compromised in patients with prior wide local excision.