What should you know about melanoma treatment options?

Surgical excision removes the melanoma with a margin of nearby skin. Depending on the site and pathology, a wider skin cancer operation may be discussed. A sentinel lymph node biopsy samples the first draining node to provide staging information; it is not required for every melanoma.

Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognize and attack melanoma cells and may be used after surgery or when melanoma cannot be treated with local surgery alone. The medicines can affect organs such as the skin, bowel, liver, lungs or thyroid, so new symptoms should be reported early. Follow-up after cancer treatment checks the treated area, lymph-node regions and the rest of the skin.

Start with the pathology report and staging results rather than a treatment name seen online. Ask what the goal of each option is, whether it is local or systemic, how it is given, and how benefit and side effects will be assessed. Tell the team about immune conditions, regular medicines, previous cancer treatment and any plans for pregnancy. A second oncology opinion can help when the decision is complex.

Call promptly about a surgical wound that becomes red, hot, swollen or increasingly painful, or about fever or drainage. During immunotherapy, report new diarrhoea, persistent cough, breathlessness, yellowing of the skin, severe headache, unusual weakness or a widespread rash. Emergency assessment is needed for severe breathing trouble, fainting, confusion or sudden neurological symptoms.

What is the aim of each recommended treatment? Do I need surgery alone, a sentinel node assessment or medicine as well? Which symptoms require same-day advice? How will follow-up be organized after treatment?