Melanoma Surgery Patient Handbook - Rogel Cancer Center

Melanoma Surgery Patient Handbook

Staff of the following programs provided information for this handbook: Rogel Cancer Center Surgical Oncology Division,

Patient Education Program, Medical Oncology, the Multidisciplinary Cutaneous Oncology program, and Physical Therapy

Note: We will refer to this booklet during many of your visits. Please bring it with you to all appointments.

Introduction The doctors and nurses at the University of Michigan Surgery Oncology Clinic created this booklet to explain melanoma and the treatment options available to you. This is not a comprehensive guide to treatment options ? they are changing every day. Rather, we hope this guide helps you move forward with a firm understanding of melanoma, how it is treated, and what the experience may include. With this information in hand, you will be prepared to make thoughtful decisions along with your medical team.

The information in this booklet will be reviewed and discussed throughout your treatment. Please bring this booklet with you to all appointments. You will find blank pages at the back of the book to use for questions, appointments or other notes.

Melanoma Surgery: A Patient's Guide

Topic:

About Melanoma Anatomy of the Skin Melanocytes and Moles Cancer and the Skin Melanoma Staging of Melanoma

Can be found on page:

3 4 5 6 7

Treating Melanoma

Local and Regional Therapy

9

Clinical Trials

9

Wide Local Excision

11

Skin Graft

12

Assessing Lymph Node Involvement

13

Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping

14

Lymph Node Dissection (Axillary / Inguinal)

18

PREPARING: Preoperative Considerations

Preparing for Surgery

23

Medications & Supplements to Avoid

24

Advanced Directives

26

The Preoperative Appointment

24

Blood Donation

29

TREATMENT: The Day of Surgery

Will I Be Hospitalized?

30

Outpatient Procedures

31

NEXT STEPS: Postoperative Considerations

Surgical Dressings

32

Fluid Collections

33

Surgical Drains

33

Special Instructions after

Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection

36

Axillary Lymph Node Dissection

40

Special Instructions after Skin Graft Surgery

51

Lymphedema

56

When & How to Call Your Doctor

64

Multidisciplinary Surgical Oncology Clinic

Melanoma Surgery Patient Handbook 1

RESOURCES

Patient & Family Support Services

67

Lymphedema Program

67

Drain Records

68

Important Phone Numbers

73

Illustration: Figure #1: Anatomy of the Skin Figure #2: Sentinel Lymph Nodes Figure #3: Postoperative Drain Figure #4: Drain Stripping Procedure Figure #5: Lymphedema of the Leg

Can be found on page: 3 15 21 35 57

Multidisciplinary Surgical Oncology Clinic

Melanoma Surgery Patient Handbook 2

About Melanoma

Melanoma is a disease in which cancer cells form from skin cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes are found throughout the lower part of the epidermis See Figure 1. They make melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes make more pigment, causing the skin to tan, or darken.

Hair Shaft

Skin Pore

Sebaceous Gland

Skin Layers:

Epidermis Dermis

Hair Follicle

Sweat Gland

Muscle

Fat Cells

Figure 1. Anatomy of the Skin

Multidisciplinary Surgical Oncology Clinic

Melanoma Surgery Patient Handbook 3

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