Types of cancer
Treating melanoma
Treatment depends on the stage of melanoma you have, which indicates the extent of its spread. Learn about each approach, possible side effects, and how to make informed decisions with your specialist treatment team.
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Sources and references What's on this page
Treatment considerations
Sometimes it is difficult to decide on the type of treatment to have. You may feel that everything is happening too fast, or you might be anxious to get started.
Check with your doctor how soon treatment should begin, as it may not affect the success of the treatment to wait a while. Ask them to explain the options to you, and take as much time as you can before making a decision.
Know your options – Understanding the disease, the available treatments, possible side effects and any extra costs can help you weigh up the options and make a well-informed decision. Check if the doctor is part of a multidisciplinary team and if the treatment centre is the most appropriate one for you – you may be able to have treatment closer to home, or it might be worth travelling to a centre that specialises in a particular treatment.
Record the details – When your doctor first says you have cancer, you may not remember everything you are told. Taking notes can help. If you would like to record the discussion, ask your doctor first. It is a good idea to have a family member or friend go with you to appointments to join in the discussion, write notes or simply listen.
Ask questions – If you are confused or want to check anything, it is important to ask your doctor questions, which you can prepare in advance. If you have a lot of questions, you could talk to a cancer care coordinator or nurse.
Consider a second opinion – You may want to get a second opinion from another doctor to confirm or clarify the recommended treatment, or reassure you that you have explored all of your options. Specialists are used to people doing this. Your GP or specialist can refer you to another specialist and send your initial results to that person. You can get a second opinion even if you have started treatment or still want to be treated by your first doctor. You might decide you would prefer to be treated by the second specialist.
It’s your decision – Adults have the right to accept or refuse any treatment that they are offered. For example, some people with advanced cancer choose treatment that has significant side effects even if it gives only a small benefit for a short period of time. Others decide to focus their treatment on quality of life. You may want to discuss your decision with the treatment team, GP, family and friends.
Find out more about melanoma treatment:
Sources and references
Understanding Melanoma - A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends
Acknowledgements
This edition has been developed by Cancer Council NSW on behalf of all other state and territory Cancer Councils as part of a National Cancer Information Subcommittee initiative.
We thank the reviewers of this booklet: A/Prof Rachel Roberts-Thomson, Medical Oncologist, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, SA; A/Prof Robyn Saw, Surgical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and The University of Sydney, NSW; Alison Button-Sloan, Consumer; Dr Marcus Cheng, Radiation Oncologist Registrar, Alfred Health, VIC; Prof Anne Cust, Deputy Director, The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW, Chair, National Skin Cancer Committee, Cancer Council, and faculty member, Melanoma Institute Australia; Prof David Gyorki, Surgical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Dr Rhonda Harvey, Mohs Surgeon, Dermatologist, Green Square Dermatology, The Skin Hospital, Darlinghurst and Sydney Melanoma Diagnostic Centre, RPA, NSW; David Hoffman, Consumer; A/Prof Jeremy Hudson, Southern Cross University, James Cook University, Chair of Dermatology RACGP, Clinical Director, North Queensland Skin Cancer, QLD; Dr Damien Kee, Medical Oncologist, Austin Health and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Clinical Research Fellow, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute, VIC; Angelica Miller, Melanoma Community Support Nurse, Melanoma Institute Australia, WA; Romy Pham, 13 11 20 Consultant, QLD; A/Prof Sasha Senthi, Radiation Oncologist, Alfred Health, and Clinical Research Fellow, Victorian Cancer Agency, VIC; Dr Chistoph Sinz, Dermatologist, Melanoma Institute Australia, NSW; Dr Amelia Smit, Research Fellow, Melanoma and Skin Cancer, The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW; Nicole Taylor, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, NSW.
We also thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on previous editions of this site.
References
- Cancer Council Australia Melanoma Guidelines Working Party, Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of melanoma, Melanoma Institute Australia, Sydney, viewed 31 January 2025, available from cancer.org.au/clinical-guidelines/skin-cancer/melanoma.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Cancer Data in Australia, AIHW, Canberra,
2024, viewed 31 January 2025, available from aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-data-inaustralia/data. - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Cancer in Australia 2021, AIHW, Canberra, 2021.
Melanoma
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Guide to best cancer care
This melanoma guide explains the standard of high-quality cancer care that all Australians can expect, from diagnosis, to treatment, recovery, and living with cancer.