Surgical removal of the cancerous tissue is the primary
treatment for melanoma. The extent of the procedure depends on
the stage of the cancer. Types of surgery include: Excision—The
entire tumor along with a rim of normal, non-cancerous skin is
cut away to make sure no more cancer cells remain in the skin.
How much non-cancerous skin is cut away depends on how thick the
tumor is. The wound is stitched together or covered with a skin
graft and usually leaves a scar. Mohs Surgery—This procedure,
performed by specialized dermatologists, is designed to shave
away cancer cells while leaving as much normal tissue behind. It
is somewhat controversial in the management of melanomas, but
many believe it is as effective as a wider, potentially more
disfiguring surgical procedure. Mohs surgery is usually reserved
for stage 0 or in-situ melanoma. The so-called “slow Mohs”
combines features of both Mohs surgery and excision.
Amputation—If melanoma is present on a finger or toe, it may be
necessary to amputate the cancero