Melanoma Stages and Treatment

Patient guide

Patient Guide

Our clinical experts, members and patient representatives have come together to produce a new Melanoma Stages and Treatment – Patient Guide (MPG) to support you on all aspects of your journey as a melanoma patient.

This supportive guide is for those who have been diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma – the most serious type of skin cancer, and the most common form of melanoma. It aims to be a comprehensive resource from melanoma diagnosis to treatment and we cover the latest advances in staging, procedures, surgery, adjuvant therapy, living with melanoma, and consideration for other aspects of your health – like diet, fertility, exercise and mental health. In addition, we have described what you may expect when you are waiting on a diagnosis, as well as creating videos explaining melanoma and various treatments.

In July 2023, Melanoma Focus received PIF TICK accreditation. The PIF TICK is the UK wide quality mark for trusted health information, achieving this official certification demonstrates our commitment to the provision of high-quality health information. This means you can be assured that what you are reading, watching or listening to is evidence-based, understandable, jargon-free, up-to-date and produced to the best possible standard.

Click here to read more about our PIF TICK accreditation.

You can also visit our Melanoma Glossary which will help you understand the language that you may hear or read about.

Melanoma Stages and Treatment Patient Guide logo

“Thank you to Melanoma Focus for giving us the opportunity to update these guidelines. Its been a fantastic collaboration between patients and professionals, all with the shared aim of making a complicated subject as straightforward, accessible and user-friendly as possible.” Dr Miranda Payne, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and Chair of the Melanoma Patient Guide (MPG) project

“I wish this comprehensive information for patients starting treatment for Melanoma had been available when I was diagnosed 6 years ago. It has been written for patients to give as much up to date advice as possible.” Paul (W Sussex), Stage 4 melanoma survivor with 3 years remission

With huge thanks to BMS, MSD, Novartis, Pierre Fabre and Immunocore who each provided generous grants towards the update of our patient materials. These Pharmaceutical companies did not have any input into the content, review and development of the updated guidance. And particular thanks to Onyva the agency who has so ably supported this project.

NICE have updated their Melanoma: assessment and management guideline [NG14] on 27 July 2022. This guideline covers the assessment and management of melanoma (skin cancer) in children, young people and adults. It aims to reduce variation in practice and improve survival. Read more here.

Nurse supporting patient

WAITING FOR A DIAGNOSIS

Information and FAQs about what to expect during your diagnosis

health and wellbeing button

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Learn about microbiome, fertility, vitamin D & mental health

Nurse giving treatment

MELANOMA TREATMENT

Find out about the treatment options that may be available to you

Procedures and surgery button

PROCEDURES AND SURGERY

Learn about local excision, wide local excision & SLNB

Living with melanoma button

LIVING WITH MELANOMA

This includes follow up, life after treatment & survival rates

Please note:

  • The Patient Guide does not cover uveal or mucosal melanoma (much rarer forms of melanoma).
  • You will have many questions as more information about your melanoma is gathered and as various treatment options are discussed. It is important to write these down and ideally take someone with to each appointment where possible.
  • Not all treatments are suitable for all patients and your medical team will help you decide what may be best for you.
  • We have created the Melanoma TrialFinder, an additional resource to support your understanding of clinical trials and details of melanoma trials running in the UK.
  • We would welcome email feedback from patients at all stages of diagnosis on the Patient Guide.