Stages of Melanoma

There are approximately five stages of melanoma. These stages of melanoma are denoted staring at 0 and progressing by the Roman numerals I-IV. Below are descriptions of the stages of melanoma.

 

Stage 0

This is when the melanoma is in the first stages which are located specifically on the top layer of the epidermis. In this stage, the cure is to remove the melanoma down the layer of fat. This is typically a 100% cure rate, in theory, but requires a follow up two times a year for life.

 

Stage I

By stage I, the melanoma has deepened itself into the dermis layer. This is when the melanoma is classified as invasive whereas the Stage 0 was classified as non invasive. This is what brings the melanoma from stage 0 to stage I. The removal process is similar to the Stage I, however, in this stage the removal is taken to the Fascia layer of the skin.

 

The five year survival rate, which means people, will not have death due to progression to stage IV, is 89 percent to 95 percent. This is still a good ratio.

 

Stage II

When the stages of melanoma hit stage II, there is a fifty percent 5 year survival rate. This is because the melanoma has deepened itself further down. The removal of the tumor needs to include the fat removal as well. Some other intervention might be prescribed by the doctor as well. Also at this stage, it is somewhat likely that the melanoma has already made its way into affecting other organs.

 

Stage III

Stage three melanoma starts to affect the lymph nodes. These nodes are located in the neck, groin and head area. The 5 year survival rate when at this stage depends on which nodes are affected and how badly. The percentage is around thirty to seventy percent.

 

The treatment is to remove the lymph nodes. Typically, it will be no more than twenty. The stages of melanoma that lead here are increasing in risk as time goes on. The doctor will give other treatment in conjunction with the surgery to help prevent the risk of melanoma coming back.

 

Stage IV

Stage IV melanoma is the worst stage in the stages of melanoma. When melanoma starts to attack the internal organs, this is when the stage is IV. During this stage, the survival rate is only seven to ten percent. During this time, entering into trials for cures is a good idea, as chemotherapy does not prove successful.

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- Recommended Resource -

 

Melanoma Skin Cancer Advice: "How I survived melanoma skin cancer and how YOU can too!"

 

7 survivors of Melanoma tell their inspiring tales of how they beat Melanoma even at Stage 4....and how you can too...

 

 

 

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