Melanoma Stages
The melanoma stages reveal the location of cancer cells in the body. The thickness, depth and spread of a malignant melanoma tumor are important in determining a prognosis and treatment plan. A classification system was developed at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School by Dr. Wallace Clark, Jr. This system, called Clark’s Level, reveals the deepest point a tumor has penetrated the five skin layers. Another way to determine the seriousness of melanoma cancer is by using Breslow’s Level – a measurement of tumor thickness based on the depth it has invaded the skin. Tumors that are narrow yet burrow deep into the skin’s layers have a worse prognosis than tumors that are wide and shallow. Although the progression of a tumor is unique to each individual, there are five simple melanoma stages of which to be aware:
Melanoma Stage 0 – The first melanoma stage is referred to as situ melanoma. The tumor is confined to the epidermis and has not begun to spread. When a tumor is found in the first stage and properly treated, the survival rate is 100 percent.
Melanoma Stage I – The tumor associated with the second stage is somewhat invasive and has the ability to spread to other locations on the body. The tumor is small and localized – less than one millimeter thick. Often the lesion will appear as a simple ulceration where the skin looks scraped. Diagnosis at this stage allows for an 85-95 percent survival rate.
Melanoma Stage II– The third melanoma stage is considered high-risk. Tumors are generally greater than one millimeter thick. The survival rate is 40-85 percent.
Melanoma Stage III – The fourth stage is sometimes called regional metastatic melanoma. The cancer has spread to local lymph nodes or tissue surrounding the original lesion. This stage has a 25-60 percent survival rate.
Melanoma Stage IV – The final stage involves distant metastases. The cancer has spread to areas of skin far from the original lesion or other organs, such as the lungs, liver or bones. The survival rate is a dim 9-15 percent.