Melanoma skin cancer
Treatment depends on how deep the melanoma is and whether it has spread. This is called the stage of the cancer. Treatment also depends on your general health and where the melanoma is on your body. Surgery is the main treatment for melanoma skin cancer.
Unfortunately, if the cancer has spread to places such as your liver or lungs then the melanoma is advanced. Different treatments are available for advanced melanoma skin cancer and melanoma that can not be removed with surgery.
There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your health when preparing for treatment. This is called prehabilitation or prehab.
Treatment can include surgery and cancer drugs such as targeted cancer drugs, immunotherapy and chemotherapy. When ones you have depends on a number of factors.
Surgery is the main treatment for melanoma skin cancer. The type of surgery you need depends on the stage of the melanoma and where it is in your body.
You may have targeted cancer drugs or immunotherapy after surgery. Which type you have depends on if the melanoma has any gene changes or not.
Radiotherapy isn't a common treatment for melanoma skin cancer. Some people may have it after surgery or for melanoma that has spread elsewhere in the body (advanced melanoma).
Treatments include targeted cancer drugs, immunotherapy and chemotherapy. They aim to control the cancer, any symptoms you have and improve your quality of life.
Last reviewed: 07 Feb 2025
Next review due: 07 Feb 2028
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