Surgery for Melanoma: Patient Care Resources
Surgery is a common treatment for melanoma. The type of surgery your team recommends is determined by the size of the tumor and other factors.
Surgeries vary in the amount of tissue doctors remove. If surgery provides a good treatment option, you will meet with a dermatologist/cutaneous oncologist to develop a plan. Surgery is different for every patient. Your doctor will work with you to determine the least invasive and most effective surgery for your condition. We also help you prepare for your surgery and your recovery at home.
WHAT TO KNOW TO PREPARE FOR MELANOMA SURGERY
1Getting Started In Your Care
2Getting Your Diagnosis
3Planning Your Treatment
4Undergoing Treatment & Follow-Up
Melanoma Surgery: Patient Care Resources »
Getting Ready for Surgery
Most Melanoma surgerys are completed as outpatient procedures. Your surgery team has worked with you to develop the therapy plan that’s right for you, based on the details of your diagnosis. The goal is to identify the least invasive and most effective surgery for your unique condition.
Before
During
After
Your doctor will discuss your treatment options and the skin cancer surgery that best suits you.
- Review your medical history
- Discuss any allergies you may have
- Review the plan for anesthesia during your surgery
On the scheduled day, you will come in for your surgery.
The length of time for your surgery and recovery depends on your individual case. Factors include the type of surgery you have and the details of your diagnosis.
Your doctor will talk to you about the best way to help the surgical wound heal in order to achieve the best functional and cosmetic result. In some cases, the wound may be very shallow allowing it to heal on its own. In other cases the surgeon may recommend placing sutures to close the wound in a line or using a skin flap or a graft. After the wound is closed, the surgery team will provide you and your family with instructions on how to care for the wound, achieve the best results, and what to expect as the area heals. Although the risk of infection, bleeding and other complications is low, your team will give you information on what to do to and who to contact if this happens.
Your doctor will discuss your treatment options and the skin cancer surgery that best suits you.
- Review your medical history
- Discuss any allergies you may have
- Review the plan for anesthesia during your surgery
On the scheduled day, you will come in for your surgery.
close Before
The length of time for your surgery and recovery depends on your individual case. Factors include the type of surgery you have and the details of your diagnosis.
close During
Your doctor will talk to you about the best way to help the surgical wound heal in order to achieve the best functional and cosmetic result. In some cases, the wound may be very shallow allowing it to heal on its own. In other cases the surgeon may recommend placing sutures to close the wound in a line or using a skin flap or a graft. After the wound is closed, the surgery team will provide you and your family with instructions on how to care for the wound, achieve the best results, and what to expect as the area heals. Although the risk of infection, bleeding and other complications is low, your team will give you information on what to do to and who to contact if this happens.
close After
If you need surgery, our surgical oncology (cancer surgery) team manages your care during this part of your treatment. We work with you to explain our recommendations for your surgical plan to help you decide what’s right for you. We also help you prepare for your surgery and your recovery at home.
You are an important part of the care team, too, so ask us questions and voice your concerns at any point in your treatment. Members of your surgical oncology team include:

Your Doctors
Dermatologic Oncologist
This type of doctor specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. Dermatologists in Stanford’s Melanoma Program have years of training and experience in cancer care. Cutaneous oncologists are dermatologists who specialize in skin cancer diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing surveillance. Dermatologic surgeons treat early melanomas, which are most likely to be cured following surgical removal.
Surgeon
Also known as a surgical oncologist, your cancer surgeon specializes in surgical procedures to treat more progressed melanomas.
Surgical oncologists can perform biopsies (taking tiny samples of tissue) to test for cancer and confirm a diagnosis. They help you choose the best type of surgery for your care. Potential options include traditional (open) approaches or minimally invasive techniques to remove tumors and surrounding tissue.
Anesthesiologist
An anesthesiologist is a doctor who specializes in using medications to block pain during surgery. These medications also help you relax during the procedure or ease you into unconsciousness. After giving medication, your anesthesiologist monitors vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate throughout your surgery and immediate recovery.
Depending on the type of surgery you have, you may need local (small area), regional (larger area), or general (overall) anesthesia. You will meet with your anesthesiologist at your pre-operative visit to review your case in detail.
Pathologist
Working closely with your oncologist, your pathologist performs and reads laboratory tests to determine the type and stage of cancer present. These doctors have special training to detect and diagnose cancer. They use a microscope to examine tissue samples taken during a biopsy. As with radiologists, you may not meet your pathologist while he/she works with your oncologist to diagnose your cancer.

Extended Care Team
This health care provider works with your surgical oncologist to help with diagnosis and treatment. An APP can be a nurse practitioner (NP), physician’s assistant (PA), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
Our MCC will call you before your surgery to provide instructions about preparing for the procedure, as well as for your recovery at home. This call will cover:
- What to do in the days before surgery
- How to handle your return home, including arranging for help for the first few days
- Answers to your questions
The CAA helps with administrative issues such as scheduling your appointments, managing your paperwork, and requesting your medical records.
If you need to stay in the hospital after surgery, a registered nurse will take care of you.
This team member greets you at the front desk and registers you for your appointments.
A Surgery Scheduler will arrange your pre-surgical appointments with your surgical oncologist. This staff member also schedules your surgeries.

Support Services
PATHWELL SUPPORT SERVICES
PathWell is your connection to personalized support services before, during, and after your treatment. Our teams of doctors, nurses, social workers, spiritual care providers, nutrition experts, financial counselors, and more work with your oncology team to provide comprehensive specialized care to you and to your family.
- 650-498-6000 Ask for the PathWell team
Stanford Health Library
For confidential help with your health care questions, contact the Stanford Health Library. Professional medical librarians and trained volunteers, access journals, books, e-books, databases, and videos to learn more about medical conditions, treatment options, and related issues.
- 875 Blake Wilbur, Palo Alto: 1st floor near the cafe, 650-736-1960
- South Bay Cancer Center: 3rd floor lobby, 408-353-0197
Email us your questions: healthlibrary@stanfordhealthcare.org
At your first appointment, you will meet the team who will take care of you throughout your treatment. During this visit, your doctor will discuss your medical history with you in detail, perform a physical examination, and discuss possible treatment options. During your first visit, we will share some important information about breast cancer and your treatment options.