Treatment for Stages I–III

The extent of treatment for melanoma depends on staging and clinical presentation. For non-metastatic disease (Stages I–III), wide local excision is the mainstay of treatment. Additional procedures beyond excision are recommended based on the presence of negative prognostic factors associated with more advanced staging. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is recommended for ulcerated tumors and thicker tumors (Stage IB or above). A combination of observation, further lymph node dissection, or adjuvant therapy may be recommended with a positive SLN biopsy or clinically apparent nodal involvement.