How effective is tumour removal surgery for melanoma?

The operation usually removes the melanoma with a margin of nearby skin. The laboratory examination describes features such as depth and whether the edges are clear. Depending on those findings, a wider excision or assessment of nearby lymph nodes may be considered. If melanoma has spread beyond the original skin site, surgery may be combined with other specialist treatments rather than used alone. These decisions are individual and should follow review of the pathology and examination.

Bring the pathology report and a list of medicines to your surgical consultation. Ask how much skin may be removed, how the wound will be closed, and whether another procedure or scans are needed. Keep the wound clean as instructed and protect healing skin from sun exposure. Check the scar and nearby skin for changes, while remembering that self-checking cannot replace specialist follow-up. Read about [Melanoma](/conditions/melanoma/) and [Tumour Removal Surgery](/treatments/surgical-oncology/tumour-removal-surgery/).

Call the surgical team for persistent bleeding, worsening pain, spreading redness, pus, wound separation, or fever. Seek prompt medical assessment for a new changing pigmented mark, a firm lump near the scar, swollen nearby nodes, unexplained persistent pain, or symptoms that concern you after treatment. Melanoma follow-up is important because recurrence can appear in skin, lymph nodes, or other areas.

Ask what the pathology shows about depth and margins, whether further excision or node assessment is advised, and how the result changes follow-up. Confirm wound care, scar expectations, and which symptoms should trigger an earlier review.