There are multiple types of melanoma surgeries and procedures to treat and prevent the spread or return of this aggressive cancer. Melanoma is highly treatable — and even curable — when found and treated early. At Penn Medicine, our multidisciplinary team of melanoma surgeons has the expertise to treat all forms of melanoma, no matter where it occurs.

Melanoma surgery involves removing the melanoma and any surrounding tissue to prevent it from spreading. Your provider may combine surgery with other melanoma treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy to improve outcomes, especially in cases where the cancer has spread.

At Penn Medicine, our surgeons specialize in complex melanoma surgery for tumor removal and reconstruction surgeries. Our Melanoma and Skin Cancer Care team has the expertise to treat all forms of melanoma, no matter where it occurs.

Who is a candidate for melanoma surgery?

Melanoma patients undergo a thorough evaluation by a multidisciplinary team of Penn Medicine professionals. Dermatologists, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists help to determine if surgery is right for you. The stage of the melanoma, its size, depth, location, and whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs are factored into the decision.

Depending on the tumor’s size and location, your provider may recommend surgery to remove ocular (eye) melanoma. Our cancer surgeons, ophthalmologists, and ocular plastic surgeons have specialized training and experience in delicate eye surgeries. When possible, we remove only the part of the eye with melanoma to help preserve eye function and appearance. Our team discusses all options with you to decide which treatments best meet your needs and preferences.

Procedures to treat ocular melanoma include:

• Partial removal: This surgery involves removing just the melanoma tumor or the tumor plus part of the eye.
• Enucleation: During this surgery, the entire eyeball may be removed if the tumor is large or your vision has been lost. During the same procedure, the surgeon usually places an orbital implant and attaches it to muscles for movement.
• Orbital exenteration: This procedure removes the entire eyeball and nearby tissues, such as parts of the eyelid, muscles, nerves, or other tissues. An orbital implant can also be placed during this procedure.
• Prosthetic eye: You may see an ocularist, who specializes in prosthetic eyes, after receiving an orbital implant. The ocularist fits you with an artificial eye, a thin shell that covers the implant and matches your other eye.

Surgery for mucosal melanoma

Surgery is usually the first treatment for mucosal melanoma. We perform wide excision surgery to remove the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue to ensure that no cancer remains. Depending on the site and extent of the surgery, a skin graft may be necessary. A skin graft is a procedure using the skin from another part of the body to close the wound and reduce scarring.

Surgery for metastatic melanoma

Melanoma that has spread beyond draining lymph nodes is considered metastatic (stage IV) melanoma. The most common sites of spread include the lungs, liver, and brain. Surgery may be recommended to remove metastatic tumors in specific organs when combined with other treatments. Talk with your doctor about your specific situation.

Melanoma surgery recovery

Recovery from melanoma surgery varies depending on factors such as the type of surgery performed, the extent of the procedure, and your overall health. Your doctor will talk to you about caring for your surgical site and returning to your everyday activities.

Support for every step of your journey

At Penn Medicine, we believe that great care goes beyond just diagnosing and treating melanoma. We provide patient and family cancer support services to help you and your family every step of the way. These services include support groups, classes, resources, and more. If you have any questions or need any additional support, don’t hesitate to reach out to your care team at any time.