Hi arnie,

I'm sorry your mum is going through this but hopefully it's been caught quickly. Once a mole is removed & found to be melanoma the next step is to remove more tissue (a wide local excision) to ensure all the stray cells have been mopped up. If the mole is over a certain depth in measurement they will also suggest a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy - dye is injected in the site of the mole & they trace it to the nearest nose. This node is then removed to check to see if melanoma has spread to that node. It's not a big procedure so your mum should be OK. She will then get the results a few weeks later. Dependant on the results will depend on whether she just then has regular check ups or she needs further treatment. This link gives you all the information regarding treatment. www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../melanoma

Good luck,

Angie (melanoma patient)