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Treating Melanoma Skin Cancer
If you've been diagnosed with melanoma, your treatment team will discuss your treatment options with you. It's important to weigh the benefits of each treatment option against the possible risks and side effects.
Who treats melanoma skin cancer?
Depending on your situation, you might have different types of doctors on your treatment team. These doctors might include:
- A dermatologist, who treats diseases of the skin
- A surgical oncologist or oncologic surgeon, who uses surgery to treat cancer
- A medical oncologist, who treats cancer with medicines such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy
- A radiation oncologist, who treats cancer with radiation therapy
Many other specialists might be involved in your care as well, including physician assistants (PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs), nurses, pharmacists, nutrition specialists, social workers, rehabilitation specialists, and other health professionals.
How is melanoma skin cancer treated?
Based on the stage of the cancer and other factors, different treatment options might be used alone or in combination.
Common treatment approaches
Early-stage melanomas can often be treated with surgery alone, but more advanced cancers often require other treatments. Sometimes more than one type of treatment is used.
The treatment plan your doctor recommends will depend mainly on factors such as:
- The stage of the cancer
- The location of the cancer on your skin
- The risk of the cancer returning after treatment
- Whether the cancer cells have certain gene changes
- Your overall health and preferences
Making treatment decisions
It’s important to discuss all your treatment options with your cancer care team so you can make the decision that best fits your needs. This includes talking about the goals and possible side effects of each treatment.
You might feel like you need to decide quickly, but it’s important to give yourself time to absorb the information you learn.
Ask questions if you are unsure about anything.
Questions to ask before melanoma treatment
Understanding your diagnosis and choosing a treatment plan
- What are my treatment choices?
- What do you recommend and why?
- If surgery is part of my treatment, what kind are you recommending?
- How much experience do you have treating melanoma?
- Does one type of treatment lessen the chance of the melanoma coming back more than another?
- How quickly do we need to decide on treatment?
- Should I get a second opinion? Can you recommend a doctor or cancer center?
- Would a clinical trial be a good option for me?
What to expect during treatment
- What should I do to be ready for treatment?
- How long will treatment last?
- What will it be like? Where will it be done?
- How might treatment affect my daily activities? Can I still work full time?
- Can I exercise during treatment? If so, what kind should I do and how often?
- Are there any limits on what I can do?
- How will we know if the treatment is working?
- What will we do if the treatment doesn’t work or if the cancer recurs?
Side effects and long-term effects
- What are the risks or side effects of treatment?
- Can I do anything to manage or reduce these side effects?
- Will I have a scar after treatment? How big will it be?
- What symptoms or side effects should I tell you about right away?
- How can I reach someone on the team on nights, holidays, or weekends?
Support and resources
- What if I don’t have transportation to and from treatment?
- Is there someone I can talk to if I feel overwhelmed, depressed, or distressed?
- What if I need social support during treatment?
- Who do I talk to if I’m concerned about the costs and insurance coverage for my treatment?
Other things to consider
Seeking a second opinion: If time allows, consider getting a second opinion. This can give you more information and help you feel more confident about the treatment plan you choose.
Clinical trials: Clinical trials study new treatments and might offer access to promising options not widely available. They are also how doctors learn better ways to treat cancer. Ask your doctor about clinical trials you might qualify for.
Integrative (holistic) and alternative methods: You might hear about herbs, diets, acupuncture, massage, or other ways to relieve your symptoms or treat your cancer. Integrative therapies are used alongside standard care, while alternative ones are used instead of standard treatments. Some of these might help with symptoms, but many aren’t proven to work and could even be harmful. Talk with your care team first to make sure they’re safe and won’t interfere with treatment.
Help getting through cancer treatment
People with cancer need support and information, no matter what stage of their illness.
Whether you’re thinking about treatment, getting treatment, or not being treated at all, you can still get supportive care to help with pain or other symptoms. It’s important to communicate with your cancer care team so you understand your diagnosis, the recommended treatment, and ways to maintain or improve your quality of life.
Different types of programs and support services might be helpful, and they can be an important part of your care. These might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, nutritional advice, rehab, or spiritual help.
The American Cancer Society also has programs and services to help you get through treatment, including rides to treatment, lodging, and more. Contact the ACS cancer helpline for more information.
Choosing to stop treatment or choosing no treatment at all
When treatments have been tried and are no longer controlling your cancer, it could be time to weigh the benefits and risks of continuing to try new treatments. Whether or not you continue treatment, there are still things you can do to help maintain or improve your quality of life.
Choosing not to treat your cancer
Some people might not want to be treated at all, especially if the cancer is advanced. There are many reasons you might decide not to get treatment, but it’s important to talk to your cancer care team as you make that decision. Remember that even if you choose not to treat your cancer, you can still get supportive care to help with pain or other symptoms.
Hospice care
People with advanced cancer who are expected to live less than 6 months might want to consider hospice care. Hospice care is designed to provide the best possible quality of life for people near the end of life.
You and your family are encouraged to talk with your cancer care team about hospice care options, which include hospice care at home, a special hospice center, or other healthcare locations.
Nursing care and special equipment can make staying at home a workable option for many families.
The treatment information given here is not official policy of the American Cancer Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor. Your doctor might have reasons for suggesting a treatment plan different from these general treatment options. Don't hesitate to ask your cancer care team any questions you might have about your treatment options.
- Written by
Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Last Revised: August 12, 2026
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
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