Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. Its severity is measured in five stages, from Stage 0 to Stage IV. These stages are based on the thickness of the original tumor and whether the cancer has spread.
Stage 0
In this stage, the cancerous cells are only located in the very top layer of the skin.
Stage I
Stage I melanomas are classified two ways: The tumor is either no more than 1 millimeter thick and is ulcerated; or, the tumor is between 1 and 2 millimeters thick but is not ulcerated. In Stage I, the cancer has not spread to any other surrounding tissues or lymph nodes.
Stage II
There are also two possibilities for Stage II melanomas. In this stage, the tumor is at least 1 millimeter thick and is ulcerated, or it is more than 2 millimeters thick, with or without ulceration. In this stage, there is still no spread to the nearby lymph nodes.
Stage III
This stage is characterized by the spread of the cancer to surrounding tissues. This may be the surrounding skin or one or more of the nearest lymph nodes.
Stage IV
Stage IV melanoma has spread to tissues that are far from the original tumor site. This includes , internal organs and areas of skin not adjacent to the original tumor. Stage IV melanoma sometimes spreads to the brain.
Tags: lymph nodes, lymph nodes Stage, nodes Stage, original tumor, Stage Stage