The type of sample will be determined by the dermatology provider and may include a punch biopsy or an excisional biopsy . The punch biopsy is done with a circular blade to remove the suspicious mole . An excisional biopsy will remove the lesion and a margin of normal tissue surrounding it . After melanoma is diagnosed , the next step is to stage the cancer . In order to stage the melanoma , the provider will look at the thickness of the melanoma , see if it has spread to lymph nodes , and look for possible metastases to other parts of the body . Increased thickness , positive lymph node involvement , and metastases to other parts of the body will all increase the severity of the melanoma .
How is Melanoma Treated ?
Early-stage melanoma may be treated with surgery alone ; however , more advanced stages may require other treatments . Based on the stage of melanoma , treatment may include immunotherapy , radiation , chemotherapy , or targeted therapy drugs specifically for melanoma . Several factors go into making a treatment plan . The dermatologic oncology team will consider age , overall health , location of melanoma , stage of melanoma , and the likelihood of cure . Clinical trials in melanoma are common in academic institutions and may be offered as part of the