Surgery to remove (excise) melanoma removes the cancer and a border of
healthy tissue. In the "Area of excision" picture:
- The inner circle represents the melanoma and
healthy tissue that are excised.
- An eye-shaped incision (cut) is often
done so that the surgical site can be neatly closed.
If the excision is small, the skin may be closed with stitches after surgery. The "After surgery" picture shows the usual shape of the scar after surgery to remove a small melanoma.
If the excision is large, a skin graft may be needed.
Other ways of removing a melanoma can
leave a round scar or a scar shaped a little like the letter "Z."
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Amy McMichael, MD - Dermatology |
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| Last Revised | October 12, 2012 |
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