Accuracy of Diagnostic Biopsy for Cutaneous Melanoma: Implications for Surgical Oncologists

Table 2

Frequency and extent of positive margins by biopsy type.

	Biopsy type
	Excisional	Shave	Punch	Incisional	P value
Any margin positive	81/187 (43%)	43/60 (72%)	63/68 (93%)	17/17 (100%)	<0.0001
Type of involved margin (s)					<0.0001
Margin not specified	28/187 (15%)	10/60 (17%)	27/68 (40%)	12/17 (71%)
Lateral margin only	38/187 (20%)	14/60 (23%)	25/68 (37%)	1/17 (6%)
Deep margin only	15/187 (8%)	4/60 (7%)	1/68 (2%)	1/17 (6%)
Lateral + deep margins	7/187 (4%)	15/60 (25%)	10/68 (15%)	3/17 (18%)