The Treatment In most cases, the specialist can tell by examining the mole whether or not it is benign or malignant, but if there is any doubt, he or she may suggest an excision biopsy. This means that the mole will be removed, using local anaesthetic, and examined under the microscope to see if the cells are malignant. If a malignant melanoma is diagnosed, the doctor may want to do further tests including blood tests, x-rays and scans to see if the disease has spread. Surgery is the usual treatment. The surgeon will remove the affected skin and often an area of normal-looking skin around it to ensure that no malignant cells have been left behind. Provided the melanoma is caught early enough, there should be no further problems from that site. Sometimes, the lymph glands closest to the melanoma may be removed to see if the disease has spread or to prevent it spreading further. Chemotherapy is sometimes used to control the disease if it has spread to other parts of the body. There is now a melanoma vaccine, but it is still at the experimental stage. Back To Main Page