What are the treatment options for melanoma?

The plan is based on the melanoma’s thickness, ulceration, location, whether it has reached lymph nodes or other organs, test results and your general health. A biopsy confirms the diagnosis, while further examination and imaging may help define the stage. Your dermatology, surgical and oncology teams use this information to match treatment to the disease.

For a melanoma confined to the skin, surgical excision removes the lesion with a surrounding margin of tissue. Depending on features found at the primary site, a sentinel lymph node biopsy may check the first draining lymph node. More advanced disease may be treated with immunotherapy, targeted therapy when a relevant tumour change is found, surgery, or a combination.

Keep copies of your biopsy and staging results and ask who will coordinate your care. Before surgery, discuss the expected scar, wound care, reconstruction and activity limits. Before systemic treatment, review medicines, autoimmune conditions, infections, pregnancy plans and previous cancer treatments because these can affect the choice and monitoring plan.

After treatment, attend skin and lymph-node checks as advised and report a new changing spot, a persistent lump, unexplained pain, cough, headaches or other new symptoms. Protect treated and untreated skin from ultraviolet exposure and learn how to examine your skin without repeatedly irritating it.

Arrange prompt assessment for a changing mole or new pigmented lesion, particularly one that changes shape, colour or size, bleeds or does not heal. After surgery, contact the team for spreading redness, fever, pus, wound separation or uncontrolled bleeding. During systemic therapy, report new breathlessness, severe diarrhoea, jaundice, confusion or a widespread rash promptly.

Ask what stage and features were found, whether wider excision or sentinel lymph node biopsy is recommended, and whether tumour testing changes treatment. Discuss the aim of each option, likely monitoring, side effects, fertility considerations and the follow-up schedule.