What To Expect After Melanoma Removal Surgery?

Most of the time, surgery to remove melanoma is enough to make the patient cancer-free. But for some, the cancer cells may not completely go away and may require further treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation treatment. Recurrence (could be the same body part or entirely somewhere else) is possible and is a common fear amongst those who are fully healed following surgery.

Keeping up with your follow-up appointments is extremely important. Your doctor will monitor for signs of recurrence and will also help you deal with adverse effects of treatments if they are present. It is not uncommon for your doctor to order imaging tests such as CT scans or X-rays during these follow-up appointments. The frequency of your visits may be influenced by a combination of factors but will largely depend on the stage of your melanoma when you were diagnosed.

Furthermore, it is also crucial to perform regular self-examination of the skin and lymph nodes at least once a month. Any change in the skin and other new symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and cough should be reported right away. Prolonged sun exposure should be avoided, too.

Melanoma removal surgery in Hillsborough, Somerville, and neighboring areas
Surgical removal of the cancerous cells is the primary treatment for melanoma. Dr. Buch and the rest of the Central Jersey Surgeons team are highly experienced in melanoma removal surgery. Call us today at (908) 722-0030 to set up an appointment with us and learn more about the procedure. We look forward to your visit!