Melanoma is the sixth most common cancer in the United States. It has been associated with sun exposure especially with blistering sunburns in childhood years. The use of sunblock, protective clothing, and skin evaluations are all thought to be helpful in preventing the disease. Lesions that are concerning for cancer should be sampled with a biopsy. If the results show melanoma, then a wide local surgical excision is required. Surgery for melanoma is the only means to a cure. Depending on the results from the biopsy the surgeon may recommend a sentinel lymph node biopsy (see section on Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for more detail). If the sentinel lymph node biopsy shows cancer, then a complete lymph node dissection (see section on Completion Lymphadenectomy) is recommended. Most of these procedures are performed on an outpatient (same-day) basis. Patients that need to have large areas of skin removed and/or reconstructions as well as those who require a complete lymph node dissection will usually be admitted to the hospital for observation following their procedure.