Melanoma Surgery

Melanoma surgery is the primary treatment for localized melanoma, aiming to remove the tumor with a margin of healthy tissue to prevent recurrence. The indications for surgery include any confirmed diagnosis of melanoma, particularly when the lesion is confined to the skin. The standard procedure involves a wide local excision, where the margin size depends on the tumor's thickness. For melanomas greater than 1 mm in thickness or with other high-risk features, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is often performed concurrently to assess for metastasis, guiding further treatment. If SLNB is positive, a complete lymph node dissection may be considered. For smaller, low-risk melanomas, surgery is often performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, allowing for quick recovery and minimal disruption to daily life.