Contents
What You Need to Know About Melanoma Surgery
Published: Apr 03, 2024
Melanoma, a serious skin cancer, can appear almost anywhere on your body. Understanding the surgical options is crucial for effective treatment.
Understanding Melanoma
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that commonly appears in areas exposed to the sun, like the trunk and extremities. However, it can also develop in less common places such as the eyes or mucous membranes. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital as melanoma can spread to other parts of the body.
The Role of Surgery
Surgery is a key component in managing melanoma, primarily involving the removal of the tumor. The goals include confirming the diagnosis, staging the cancer, and removing it with a margin of healthy tissue to prevent recurrence. Accurate staging guides further treatment and surgical decisions.
Surgical Margins: How Much is Enough?
The width of the surgical margin depends on the thickness of the melanoma. For instance, a 1 cm margin is recommended for melanomas up to 1 mm thick, while thicker melanomas may require a 2 cm margin. These guidelines help ensure the entire tumor is removed and reduce the risk of cancer returning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can appear anywhere on the body.
Surgery helps confirm diagnosis, stage the melanoma, and remove it to prevent spread.
Surgical margins are the normal tissue around the tumor removed during surgery.
Thicker melanomas often require wider margins to ensure complete removal.
Key Takeaways
Melanoma surgery involves careful planning to ensure all cancerous cells are removed.
References
- Swetter SM, Tsao H, Bichakjian CK, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of primary cutaneous melanoma. J Am Acad Dermatol 2019; 80:208.
- Wheatley K, Wilson JS, Gaunt P, Marsden JR. Surgical excision margins in primary cutaneous melanoma: A meta-analysis and Bayesian probability evaluation. Cancer Treat Rev 2016; 42:73.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
AI Doctor Visit Required
Appointments available 24/7
Top licensed doctors
Available in all 50 states
Full service care
Prescriptions, referrals & treatment
No insurance needed
All notes available in Doctronic
15-min consultation. No hidden costs.
AI Doctor Visit Required
Please Chat With Our AI Doctor First
Our AI doctor assessment helps our human doctors prepare for your video visit and provide better care
For safety reasons we have been forced to end this consultation.
If you believe this is a medical emergency please call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.
If you are experiencing emotional distress, please call the the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or your local crisis services immediately.
Contact us
You can also email us at help@doctronic.ai
We aim to reply within 5-7 days
How likely are you to recommend Doctronic to friends or family?