The melanoma patient treatment pathway

This describes what will happen to you after you have been diagnosed with melanoma and referred to The Christie.

This is only a guide. Treatment options, visits and times can vary depending on your diagnosis of melanoma, the stage of disease (some stages may not require treatment), the therapeutic/ treatment plan and your state of health.

At each appointment you will see one or more of the melanoma team. You will not always see the same person at every visit. All the melanoma team are involved in your diagnosis and care, and are part of the decision making process for your treatment plan. So whoever you see, they will be well informed about you.

1st Visit - New Patient Clinic

Physical examination, blood tests etc.

The Clinical Team discuss your diagnosis and prognosis (outlook for the future) and will make a general assessment about your clinical condition.

You may require a certain type of treatment (therapy) for which the clinical team will need to make a plan. This may be decided at your first visit or you may need further investigations to assist their decision making.

The team will explain your treatment options and discuss with you any available clinical trials (see The Patient Pathway - Clinical Trial Treatment below).

If no trial is available to you or you select the standard treatment, the treatment plan will be discussed in detail with you and you will also receive written information.

2nd Visit - Further investigations (if needed)

If more tests are needed you will come back to the hospital for these. Then the Team will have all the information they need to carefully plan your treatment schedule and explain it to you.

2nd or 3rd Visit - Commence treatment (usually within 7-14 days from 1st visit)

Further consultation with member/s of the Clinical Team

Written informed consent obtained to start treatment

First dose of treatment; this may be oral (by mouth) or IV (intravenous, directly into the veins) or radiotherapy.

Follow Up - this will vary according to the treatment

Weekly or monthly safety / toxicity review to check how your body is being affected by the treatment, this can include blood tests, recording of any side-effects, physical examinations, scans, heart (ECG) checks amongst others which will be explained to you at the time.

1st Visit - New Patient Clinic

Clinical Team assess your suitability for trial entry.

They explain to you about clinical trials and will give specific trial information relevant to you and your diagnosis.

Meet Clinical Research Team.

Alternative treatment options also discussed.

Patient informs Team by a phone call usually within 48 hours of the 1st visit.

You decide whether to choose a trial or the standard treatment option.

2nd Visit - Research Clinic

Further discussion

Written informed consent obtained for main study and any 'sub' studies

Screening process described: the tests you will have to decide if you are suitable for the trial.

Screening Visits (timescale depends on Trial Protocol)

Clinical review

You will be screened to check your suitability (eligibility) for the trial. These tests will be different for each trial but may include blood tests, scans, biopsies and cardiac (heart/circulation) assessments.

If you are confirmed as suitable for a certain trial you will be given a date to start treatment.

Commence study drug within 7 - 14 days of Screening

Patient attends for first dose of treatment; this may be oral (by mouth) or IV (intravenous, directly into the veins).

Follow Up - this will vary in different trials

Weekly or monthly safety / toxicity review to check how your body is being affected by the treatment, this includes blood tests. You will receive your trial medication either to take at home (oral only) or on the specialist Trials Unit (IV treatment).

Last updated: March 2023

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