Summary: Skin melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. In recent years, significant progress in developing new therapies for patients with advanced melanoma was observed. Still, the surgical procedure is the basis for the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma. The applicable diagnostic procedures include excision of the primary lesion and biopsy of the sentinel node. 6/2022 17 NOWOTWORY SKÓRY After the initial diagnosis, radical surgery is the basis for permanent remission. Radical resection of the scar after excisional biopsy is the basic method of managing the primary tumor. On the other hand, the results of the studies published in recent years have reduced the indications for radical resection of the regional lymphatic drainage. Surgical treatment is also used in patients with advanced melanoma, usually as part of combined treatment.