Once melanoma has been diagnosed in a person, the course of the treatment will largely depend on the stage and location of the melanoma. In addition to these factors, the patient’s overall health also plays an important role in melanoma treatment. So, read on to know more about the treatment of melanoma and how it varies depending on the specific stage of the disease, as follows:

1. Melanoma treatment on stage 0
At this stage, the melanoma has not grown any deeper than the topmost layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. Here, the condition is treated with a surgery in which a wide excision is made to remove the melanoma and a small amount of normal skin around it. This removed skin sample is sent to the lab for some tests. The results of these tests determine the presence of cancer cells at the edges of the sample. If the cells are found, another excision may be performed. In some cases, the doctor might also opt for imiquimod cream or radiation therapy in place of surgery as a part of the treatment. However, this treatment is not favored by many doctors. If the melanoma is affecting a sensitive area, such as the face, the doctor might even go for Mohs surgery. Sometimes, in such cases, imiquimod cream can also be used if the surgery might result in disfiguration. However, not all doctors recommend this.

2. Melanoma treatment for stage I
Surgery is performed to treat stage I melanoma. A wide excision is made to remove the melanoma and a small amount of normal skin around it. The amount of normal skin that has to be removed depends on how thick the melanoma is and its location.

In cases where the melanoma is at stage IB or has shown risks of being spread to the lymph nodes, the doctors can recommend a sentinel lymph node biopsy. However, it is important to discuss this treatment method thoroughly with the doctor. If the biopsy shows the presence of cancer cells on the sentinel lymph nodes, a dissection of the lymph node will be performed. In this procedure, the lymph nodes close to cancer will be removed. Although this treatment method is commonly recommended, its survival rate is still not clear.

3. Melanoma treatment for stage II
Surgery that involves removal of the melanoma and a small amount of skin is the standard treatment to cure melanoma at stage II. Again, the amount of normal skin to be removed depends on the location and the thickness of the melanoma. Since there are higher chances of the melanoma spreading to the lymph nodes, a sentinel lymph node biopsy is often recommended. If the biopsy shows positive results, dissection of the lymph node is carried out.

4. Melanoma treatment for stage III
By the time melanoma has reached stage III, the cancer cells have spread in the lymph nodes. Surgery is the only treatment to cure melanoma at this stage. In the procedure, a wide excision is made on the primary tumor followed by the lymph node dissection.