Understanding Stage I Melanoma Treatment: Surgery and Margin Guidelines

Melanoma is the most serious skin cancer. Stage I melanoma means the cancer has not spread beyond the skin.

Surgery

• Stage I melanomas are treated with surgery that will remove the melanoma, a margin of healthy skin and a layer of tissue underneath. Smaller margins are more common today, and a skin graft is unlikely.

Lesion Thickness

• Melanomas less than 1 mm thick will require removal of 1 cm of healthy skin around the tumor, whereas those between 1 and 2 mm will require removal of up to 2 cm of healthy skin around the tumor.

Lymph Nodes

• In certain instances, a doctor might recommend removing surrounding lymph nodes if certain factors present a risk for cancer spread.

Prognosis

• Early treatment of melanoma presents a good prognosis. Ninety percent of patients with melanomas smaller than 1 mm never experience a recurrence, according to the Melanoma Research Foundation.

Follow-up Evaluation

• After surgery, you will need to see your doctor every 3 to 6 months initially. After a certain period without melanoma recurrence, your doctor may determine a new schedule.