Melanoma: Questions to Ask the Health Care Team

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 02/2023

ON THIS PAGE: You will find some questions to ask your doctor or other members of the health care team to help you better understand your diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall care. Use the menu to see other pages.

Talking often with the health care team is important to make informed decisions about your health care. These suggested questions are a starting point to help you learn more about your cancer care and treatment. You are also encouraged to ask additional questions that are important to you. You may want to print this list and bring it to your next appointment. It may also be helpful to ask a family member or friend to come with you to appointments to help take notes.

Questions to ask after getting a diagnosis

  • What type or subtype of melanoma do I have?

  • Can you explain my pathology report to me?

  • What stage is the melanoma? What does this mean?

  • What is the depth of the melanoma in millimeters?

  • Is the melanoma ulcerated?

  • Does the melanoma have mitotic activity? If yes, how much and what does that mean?

  • Is it likely that the melanoma has spread? Why or why not?

Questions to ask about choosing a treatment and managing side effects

  • What are my treatment options?

  • What types of research are being done for melanoma in clinical trials? Do clinical trials offer additional treatment options for me?

  • What treatment plan do you recommend? Why?

  • What is the goal of each treatment? Is it to eliminate the cancer, help me feel better, or both?

  • What are the possible side effects of each treatment option, both in the short term and the long term? Is there anything we can do to prevent or manage them?

  • Who will be part of my health care team, and what does each member do?

  • Who will be leading my overall treatment?

  • How will each treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my usual activities?

  • Could this treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long?

  • Could this treatment affect my ability to become pregnant or have children? If so, should I talk with a fertility specialist before cancer treatment begins?

  • If I’m worried about managing the costs of cancer care, who can help me?

  • What support services are available to me? To my family?

  • If I have questions or problems, who should I call?

Questions to ask about having surgery

  • Do you recommend that I get surgery for my melanoma? If so, what type of surgery?

  • Should I have a sentinel lymph node biopsy to find out if there is spread to the lymph nodes?

  • Will surgery be able to remove all of the cancer? Will I need additional surgery?

  • How long will the operation take?

  • How long will I be in the hospital?

  • After the surgical removal of the melanoma, will I need a skin graft?

  • Can you describe what my recovery from surgery will be like?

  • Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?

  • What are the possible long-term effects of having this surgery?

  • Will I need to have additional treatment after surgery?

Questions to ask about therapies with medication before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy)

  • Do you think I would benefit from neoadjuvant therapy? Why or why not?

  • What medication would you recommend that I get before surgery?

  • Does my melanoma have a BRAF genetic mutation? Will the BRAF status affect which neoadjuvant medication you recommend?

  • How long will my neoadjuvant treatment be?

  • When will my first imaging scan to restage the cancer be done?

  • When will my surgery be done?

  • What side effects can I expect during treatment?

  • Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?

  • What are the possible long-term or late effects of having this treatment?

  • What can be done to prevent or manage these side effects?

  • Will my insurance cover the recommended treatments? Is there someone I can talk to if insurance does not cover all of the costs of treatment?

Questions to ask about systemic treatment with medication after surgery (adjuvant therapy)

  • What type of treatment with medication is recommended?

  • Does my melanoma have a BRAF genetic mutation or other known mutation? Is targeted therapy or immunotherapy an option?

  • What is the goal of this treatment?

  • How long will it take to have this treatment?

  • Will I receive this treatment at a hospital or clinic? Or will I take it at home?

  • What side effects can I expect during treatment?

  • Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?

  • What are the possible long-term or late effects of having this treatment?

  • What can be done to prevent or manage these side effects?

  • Will my insurance cover the recommended treatments? Is there someone I can talk to if insurance does not cover all of the costs of treatment?

Questions to ask about stage II melanoma

  • What, if any, treatment is recommended after surgery?

  • Will my insurance cover the recommended treatments? Is there someone I can talk to if insurance does not cover all of the costs of treatment?

Questions to ask about stage III melanoma

  • Do I have lymph nodes that are involved with melanoma?

  • Will the rest of the lymph nodes be removed? If yes, what are the potential complications of lymph node surgery?

  • Has the melanoma spilled out of the lymph node? This is called extranodal extension of the melanoma. What does this mean for my treatment?

  • What, if any, treatment is recommended after my surgery?

  • What are the goals of each treatment? What is my prognosis?

  • How will I be followed to watch for a recurrence?

  • Will my insurance cover the recommended treatments? Is there someone I can talk to if insurance does not cover all of the costs of therapy?

Questions to ask about stage IV melanoma

  • Where has the melanoma spread? Do I need a brain scan or body imaging (such as PET-CT or CT scan) to find where it has spread?

  • Is surgical removal of the metastases an option, especially if 1 or 2 tumors are present? If so, what are the benefits and risks?

  • What are the goals of each treatment? What is my prognosis?

  • How will side effects and symptoms be prevented and managed to reduce my discomfort and increase my quality of life?

Questions to ask about planning follow-up care

  • What is the chance that the cancer will come back? Should I watch for specific signs or symptoms?

  • What steps can I take to reduce the risk of developing a new melanoma or other type of skin cancer?

  • What long-term side effects or late effects are possible based on the cancer treatment I received?

  • What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will those tests be needed?

  • How do I get a treatment summary and survivorship care plan to keep in my personal records?

  • When should I return to my primary care doctor for regular medical care?

  • Who will be leading my follow-up care?

  • What survivorship support services are available to me? To my family?

  • Are my family members at a higher risk for developing melanoma?

The next section in this guide is Additional Resources. It offers more resources on this website that may be helpful to you. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.