Definition | Reasons for Procedure | Possible Complications | What to Expect | Call Your Doctor

Definition

Melanoma removal is a surgery to remove cancer in skin tissue. The cancer is called melanoma.

Melanoma

Melanoma
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Reasons for Procedure

A melanoma removal is done to treat melanoma. For some it may be a cure for melanoma.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a melanoma removal, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Nerve damage
  • Scarring
  • Incomplete removal of all cancerous cells
  • Recurrence or spread of cancer

Smoking may increase the risk of complications.

What to Expect

Depending on the stage of the disease, your doctor may do the following:

Local anesthesia is often used to numb the area where the cancer is removed. General anesthesia may need to be used if the area is large. In this case, you will be asleep.

Surgical removal of the cancerous cells is the primary treatment for melanoma. Types of surgery include:

  • Simple excision—The tumor is cut out, along with a small amount of normal skin at the edges. The wound is stitched back together. This type of surgery may leave a scar.
  • Wide excision—The tumor is cut out along with a larger area of normal skin. This will help make sure there are no cancer cells left behind.
  • Amputation—A finger or toe may be removed if the cancer is on the digit.
  • Lymph node dissection—Nearby lymph nodes may be removed if there is concern that the cancer spread. The removed lymph nodes will be sent to a lab for study.

The area may be closed with stitches. A larger area may need to be covered with a skin graft from another area of your body.

In more advanced cases of melanoma, other treatments may be necessary. These include:

This depends on the extent of the melanoma and the type of surgery. Simple excision can take less than one hour.

Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. You may have some pain around the wound during recovery. Medicine will help manage pain.

  • Keep the surgical area clean, dry, and protected by bandages.
  • If recommended by your doctor, apply a nonprescription antibiotic ointment to the wound before applying bandages.
  • Take any medications as prescribed.
  • Avoid vigorous exercise according to your doctor's recommendations.
  • Return to have any stitches or staples removed when instructed.
  • Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.

Talk to your doctor about appropriate ways to protect your skin against sun damage. These may include using sun block and wearing protective clothing. You will also need to have regular skin exams to look for the return of cancer cells. Do self-exams to look for any new or changing moles. Your doctor can show you how to do a self-exam.

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occur:

  • Signs of infection, including fever and chills
  • Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site
  • Pain that you can't control with the medications you've been given
  • A new lump or discoloration in your skin
  • A change such as color, bleeding, itching, or growth in an already-existing mole, either at the surgical site or in a new location
  • Any other new or concerning symptoms

In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.