To provide a review of the literature on the psychological adjustment to malignant melanoma.Research reports and review articles.Three prominent themes evolved from the literature: (1) delineation of issues concerning long-term survivorship and quality of life following a diagnosis of melanoma; (2) coping with metastatic and end-stage melanoma; and (3) identification of the possible link between immunomodulation and the evolution of melanoma.Oncology nurses must individualize their support and counsel according to the potential trajectory of the patient's melanoma experience. Nurses need to identify an individual's risk for psychological distress and help them enhance coping skills.