Surgical tumor excision may be primary (e.g., conjunctival melanoma) or secondary (e.g., as a treatment for toxic tumor syndrome after radiotherapy of uveal melanoma). Excision is often combined with other therapeutic modalities to achieve local tumor control while minimizing collateral damage to adjacent tissues. As with other therapeutic methods, the chances of success depend on good patient selection, pre-operative assessment and planning, surgical and anesthetic expertise, and skill in detecting and treating any post-operative side effects and complications. Success also depends on natural ability, practical training by supervisors, self-education (e.g., about instruments, sutures, etc.), quality-control studies, and a life-long quest for improvement.