Melanoma Surgery
Careful, timely surgical management of melanoma.
Procedure overview
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, and surgical excision is the primary treatment, with margins determined by tumour thickness and other pathology findings.
Depending on the stage, sentinel lymph node biopsy or further investigations may be recommended alongside excision. Treatment is planned closely with your dermatologist and, where relevant, an oncology team.
The patient pathway
- 01
1st consultation
Biopsy and staging information are reviewed together with your referring physician to plan the appropriate surgical margin.
- 02
Surgical planning
Whether sentinel lymph node biopsy is recommended, along with expected reconstruction needs, is discussed.
- 03
The procedure
Performed under local or general anaesthesia depending on extent, timing arranged promptly given the diagnosis.
- 04
Follow-up
Pathology results guide next steps. A structured surveillance schedule is arranged in coordination with your care team.
Questions patients ask
Will I need additional treatment after surgery?
This depends on staging and pathology results, and is discussed as part of a coordinated plan with your oncology team where relevant.
What is a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
It's a procedure to check whether melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes, recommended in certain cases based on tumour thickness.
How urgent is treatment?
Melanoma is generally treated promptly following diagnosis; your care team will advise on appropriate timing for your specific case.
Will I need long-term monitoring?
Yes, regular follow-up and skin checks are an important part of care after melanoma treatment.