The stage of a melanoma indicates how far the melanoma has developed and whether it has spread.
Doctors look at several factors together:
– how deep the melanoma has grown into the skin
– whether ulceration is present
– whether melanoma cells have been found in nearby lymph nodes
– whether melanoma cells have been found in other parts of the body
This results in a stage from 0 to IV.
Stage 0 – melanoma in situ
In stage 0, the abnormal melanocytes are confined to the top layer of the skin.
They have not yet grown deeper into the skin and have not spread.
Stage I
In stage I, the melanoma has grown deeper into the skin, but no melanoma cells have been found in nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Within stage I, there are two subgroups: IA and IB. The difference relates, among other things, to the thickness of the melanoma and whether ulceration is present.
Stage II
In stage II, no melanoma cells have been found in the lymph nodes or elsewhere in the body either.
The melanoma has grown further into the skin than most stage I melanomas. Ulceration can also play a role here.
Within stage II, there are three subgroups: IIA, IIB, and IIC. Doctors look at how thick the melanoma is and whether ulceration is present.
Stage III
In stage III, melanoma cells have spread beyond the original site, but not to distant parts of the body.
This can mean, for example, that melanoma cells have been found in a nearby lymph node or in the skin surrounding the original melanoma.
Within stage III, there are several subgroups. Doctors look, for example, at how many lymph nodes contain melanoma cells and whether melanoma cells have been found in the skin near the original melanoma.
Stage IV
In stage IV, the melanoma has spread to distant parts of the body.
These can include other areas of the skin, distant lymph nodes, or organs such as the lungs, liver, or brain.
What is most important to know?
The stage of a melanoma indicates how far the melanoma has developed and whether it has spread.
It is not determined by a single test result, but by several factors considered together. Consequently, two people with the same stage can still have a different situation and receive a different treatment plan.
