Melanoma: summary of NICE guidance

This is one of a series of BMJ summaries of new guidelines based on the best available evidence; they highlight important recommendations for clinical practice, especially where uncertainty or controversy exists.Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the United Kingdom, with more than 13 000 cases diagnosed in 2011 and its incidence is rising rapidly. 1 Clinical practice seems to vary in the UK, especially with regard to the use of dermoscopy and photography, access to sentinel lymph node biopsy, vitamin D measurement and advice, follow-up policies, and the use of routine follow-up imaging.Patient groups have reported inadequate information on management options.This article summarises the most important recent recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on the diagnosis and care of people with melanoma.