Melanoma Surgery

Melanomas are cancers of arising from melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for the pigment and colour of our skin.

Australia has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, and is due mostly to the strength of the sun and increased exposure to sunlight.

Melanomas manifest most commonly as a dark or pigmented spot. Irregular borders and uneven colouring to spots increase the suspicion of melanomas. Spots that grow or change also increase the suspicion of melanoma. However, a proportion of melanomas do not display pigment.

The initial treatment of melanoma includes biopsy (taking a sample). This can often be performed under local anaesthetic. If melanoma is confirmed, a re-excision of the site is recommended.

A sentinel node biopsy may also be recommended depending on the severity of the melanoma, which will help determine whether further treatment is required after surgery.