Melanoma
Surgical planning based on pathology, stage, regional lymph nodes and the wider multidisciplinary treatment strategy.
When specialist assessment is useful
Assessment is particularly important after a new histological diagnosis, when the pathology report is incomplete, before wide excision or when sentinel lymph node biopsy or regional disease management may be relevant.
Diagnostic pathway
The pathway may include pathology review, examination of the primary site and lymph-node basins, staging investigations selected for the clinical situation and discussion at a multidisciplinary meeting.
Role of surgery
Surgery may include wide local excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy in appropriately selected patients, management of clinically involved regional nodes and reconstruction where required. The exact plan is individual and depends on confirmed pathology and stage.
Follow-up
Follow-up is risk-adapted and may combine clinical review, patient self-examination, skin surveillance and imaging when indicated.