What should you know about stage one melanoma?

Staging is based mainly on the thickness and features of the melanoma and whether nearby nodes or distant areas show involvement. Stage I indicates that assessment has not found spread beyond the original skin tumour. The visible spot may be small, so size alone does not determine stage.

A biopsy report can include tumour thickness, ulceration, and whether the edges are clear. Your dermatologist or surgeon explains which findings apply to you and whether more assessment is useful.

The usual first step is surgical excision with a margin of surrounding skin, planned from the biopsy findings and body location. A sentinel lymph node biopsy may be discussed for selected melanomas when its result could add useful staging information; it is not needed for every stage I case.

After treatment, examine your skin regularly, protect it from intense ultraviolet exposure, and keep scheduled reviews. Ask a clinician to show you how to check the scar, nearby skin, and lymph-node areas without repeatedly irritating them.

Contact your surgical team for increasing redness, swelling, drainage, fever, wound opening, or pain that is worsening rather than settling. Arrange a skin review for a changing mole, a new persistent dark mark, bleeding, crusting, or a firm lump near the treated area.

What did the biopsy show about thickness and ulceration? Is the excision complete? Do you recommend sentinel lymph node biopsy? How often should my skin and lymph nodes be checked?