Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in the skin’s pigment cells (melanocytes). If left untreated, melanoma is dangerous and can be life threatening.
Surgery is the most common treatment for melanoma. Our highly skilled plastic surgeons will remove the melanoma and its surrounding tissue. In some cases, a skin graft is needed to close the wound after surgery.
Our surgeons will remove the entire melanoma as well as a border of healthy looking skin (called the margin). The amount of surrounding healthy skin removed will depend on the depth of the melanoma. Usually extra skin and fat is removed from under the lesion also.
The wound is closed with stitches, however larger excisions or ones located on the feet, face or hands may need a skin graft.
Sometimes the lymph nodes will also need to be removed, so they can be checked for cancer, or if cancer is already present.
In many cases, when the cancer is found early and only in the nearby lymph nodes, surgery to remove the melanoma is an effective cure.
Metastatic melanoma (cancer that spreads to other parts of the body) can only be cured by surgery in some cases. It will however provide the longest-lasting relief from symptoms.
Melanoma is more serious and less common than basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
In most cases (95%) melanomas are shades of brown. In 30% of cases they begin in previously ‘normal’ moles and in 70% of cases they begin as new moles.
Identifying and treating melanomas early is vital as they are dangerous and can be life threatening.
Notify your RPS team immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
If you pass out or are short of breath call 000 for emergency care.
The extensive specialist skills of our surgical team ensure that you are provided with surgical options designed to maximise form and function.
Our surgeons hold an impressive array of academic credentials, extensive professional experience and a personal commitment to patient satisfaction.
