Treatment for melanoma

Surgery for melanoma skin cancer

Surgery is the main treatment for melanoma skin cancer. This is normally an operation called a wide local excision. Some people may also need an operation to remove the lymph nodes near the melanoma.

Your doctor removes an area of healthy skin and tissue around where the melanoma was. You might also have a skin graft or skin flap.

If the lymph nodes close to the melanoma are swollen and have cancer cells in them, you might have the lymph nodes removed.

Last reviewed: 21 Jan 2025

Next review due: 21 Jan 2028

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