|
|
It is important to know the stage of a cancer in order to plan treatment.
Stages of Melanoma
Stage 0
In stage 0, melanoma is found only in the epidermis (outer layer of the skin). Stage 0 is also called melanoma in situ.
Stage I
Stage I is divided into stages IA and IB.
- Stage IA: In stage IA, the tumor is not more than 1 millimeter thick, with no ulceration. The tumor is in the epidermis and upper layer of the
dermis.
- Stage IB: In stage IB, the tumor is either:
- not more than 1 millimeter thick, with ulceration, and may have spread into the dermis or the tissues below the skin; or
- 1 to 2 millimeters thick, with no ulceration.
Stage II
Stage II is divided into stages IIA, IIB, and IIC.
- Stage IIA: In stage IIA, the tumor is either:
- 1 to 2 millimeters thick, with ulceration; or
- 2 to 4 millimeters thick, with no ulceration.
- Stage IIB: In stage IIB, the tumor is either:
- 2 to 4 millimeters thick, with ulceration; or
- more than 4 millimeters thick, with no ulceration.
- Stage IIC: In stage IIC, the tumor is more than 4 millimeters thick, with ulceration.
Stage III
In stage III, the tumor may be any thickness, with or without ulceration, and:
- has spread to 1 or more lymph nodes; or
- has spread into the nearby lymph system but not into nearby lymph nodes; or
- has spread to lymph nodes that are matted (not moveable); or
- satellite tumors (additional tumor growths within 2 centimeters of the original tumor) are present and nearby lymph nodes are involved.
Stage IV
In stage IV, the tumor may be any thickness, with or without ulceration, may have spread to 1 or more nearby lymph nodes, and has spread to other places in the body.
Reference:
National Cancer Institute, USA.
|