Developed by the RCSI Clinical Guidelines Committee based on an adaptation of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) guidelines, this new publication aims to provide concise, evidence-supported recommendations on the management of the disease.

Professor Paul Redmond, Chairman of the RCSI Clinical Guidelines Committee said: “This disease is ever increasing and the importance of early detection and appropriate management of melanoma cannot be overemphasised. If not treated in an appropriate and timely fashion this disease can have a devastating effect.”

He specifically wished to thank Karl Sweeney and Ronan Cahill for their help in developing these new guidelines.

According to the National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI) 2005, the incidence of cutaneous melanoma in Ireland has risen by three per cent between 1997 and 2001, with an average of 401 reported cases per year. It accounts for two per cent of all new invasive cancer cases in Ireland and one per cent of all cancer deaths annually.