Cutaneous melanoma is potentially the most dangerous form of skin tumour and causes 90% of skin cancer mortality. Diagnosis is made clinically and staging is based upon the AJCC system. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 20,000 people worldwide die from melanoma each year. One of the most striking clinical aspects of melanoma is the profound difference in incidence between persons of fair and dark skin complexions. Based on the AJCC Melanoma Database, the thickness of the melanoma is the most important prognostic factor in overall survival is melanoma thickness, however, the revised staging system recognized the presence of metastases in regional lymph nodes as an independent powerful prognostic factor in 5-year survival rate in stages I and II. Melanoma has a variable lymphatic drainage pathways, particulary those lesions located in the trunk, head and neck. In the past 15 years, a novel approach has been introduced in the management of cutaneous melanoma. Lymphoscintigraphy (LS) and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has become part of the standard of care for patients with a new or recurrent diagnosis of melanoma, in helping determine the status of regional lymph nodes. Correct identification of sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) enables the surgeon to further delineate the extent of malignancy by allowing sampling of the appropriate nodal group. Performing the lymphoscintigraphy prior to the planned operation allows limited surgery with less extensive postoperative morbidity. This paper presents an overview of present knowledge, the application of the LS and SLNB in cutaneous melanoma and nurse role in the preoperative preparation of the patient, because to most people the disease or condition that requires surgery is extremely stressful event, which can results with increased level of fear and preoperative anxiety. Studies to date have pointed to the fact that stress can be alleviated by giving notice of the impending surgery, and one of the best examples of this kind of action on the stress and the patient's perception of pain is the preoperative preparation of the patient.