Surgery to remove (excise) a melanoma removes the entire melanoma along with a border (margin) of normal-appearing skin. The width of the border of normal skin removed depends on the depth of the melanoma. More tissue, usually skin and fat, is also removed from under the melanoma.
The type of anesthetic used for your surgery depends on the size and location of the melanoma. Surgery on small, easily reached melanomas may require only a local anesthetic. Surgery for larger melanomas may require general anesthesia.
Surgery to remove the melanoma usually cures melanoma if it is found early. Surgery and other treatments may be needed if cancer is found in the nearby lymph nodes.
Surgery may be used as part of the treatment for metastatic melanoma. In certain cases, surgery can help with long-term survival. And surgery may help relieve symptoms.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
Risks of surgery to remove melanoma include:
Recovery after surgery to remove a melanoma depends upon the site and extent of surgery. The wound may take longer to heal if reconstructive surgery techniques such as skin grafts are used.
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Excision of a melanoma is a type of surgery to remove, or excise, a melanoma from your skin. Melanoma is a form of skin cancer in which abnormal skin cells grow out of control.
You may have stitches until the surgical wound heals. This may cause a scar that should fade with time. How quickly your wound heals depends on its size. Most wounds take 1 to 3 weeks to heal. If a large area of skin was removed, you may have a skin graft. In that case, healing may take longer.
Some soreness around the site of the wound is normal. Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter medicine or give you a prescription to help if you have pain.
Your doctor may give you specific instructions on when you can do your normal activities again, such as driving and going back to work.
Surgery is the most common treatment for melanoma. Sometimes lymph nodes may be removed at the same time to check them for cancer. Surgery also may be done to remove lymph nodes that have cancer or to remove tumors that may have spread to other parts of the body.
Melanoma that is found early, or before it has spread, usually can be completely removed with surgery (excision).
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