Melanoma skin cancer stage: from the initial stage to the highest

Did you know that a mole on one part of your body could be a sign of melanoma skin cancer? It is not easy to distinguish between a normal mole and a mole that will develop into melanoma. One way that you can use is to recognize melanoma by knowing the stages and stages of the melanoma. Well, this article will help you identify the stages of melanoma skin cancer stages.

The four stages of melanoma skin cancer stages

Melanoma skin cancer stage consists of four stages. Each stage will usually be further divided into two to three parts. Each stage of the melanoma stage will usually be different from other stages. The greater the number, the more malignant the spread of cancer cells will be.

Why is it important to know the stages in the stage of melanoma skin cancer? Knowing the stage can help you decide on the best treatment option. At the stage of cancer cell development, also known as the TNM stage. TNM stands for, where T describes the size of the tumor, N describes whether there has been spread of cancer cells in the lymph nodes, and M to describe whether cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body.

For more details about the four stages of melanoma skin cancer stages, see the following explanation.

1. Stage melanoma stage 1

Stage 1 is the initial stage in melanoma skin cancer. At this stage, the melanoma is only on the skin like a mole and there is no sign that it will spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Stage 2 is divided into two parts, namely stage 1A and stage 1B.

Stage 1A

Melanoma thickness is less than 1 millimeter (mm).
The layer of skin covered by the tumor has not broken. This means there are no open wounds on the skin.
The mitotic rate (describing the number of cells that are in the process of dividing into a number of melanoma tissues) is less than 1 mm.
If using the TNM stage, then T1a, NO, M0.

Stage 1B

Melanoma thickness is less than 1 mm.
A mitotic rate of at least 1 mm is usually between 1 and 2 mm but has not been injured or broken.
If using the TNM stage, then T1b, N0, M0 and T2a, N0, M0.

2. Stage 2 melanoma stage

In the second stage, the melanoma is only on the skin and there are no signs that the cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Stage 2 is divided into three parts, 2A, 2B, and 2C.

Stage 2A

The melanoma is 1 to 2 mm thick and has ruptured causing an injury.
The mitosis rate is between 2 and 4 mm but has not yet broken or scarred.
If using the TNM stage, then T2b, N0, M0, and T3a, N0, M0.

Stage 2B

The melanoma is 2 to 4 mm thick and has ruptured causing an injury.
The mitotic rate is up to a thickness of 4 mm but has not yet ulcerated or ruptured.
If using the TNM stage, then T3b, N0, M0, and T4a, N0, M0.

Stage 2C

The thickness of the melanoma has reached 4 mm and has been injured.
If using the TNM stage, then T4b, N0, M0.

3. Stage 3 melanoma stage

In this third stage, cancer cells have spread to the skin, lymph vessels, or lymph nodes close to the melanoma. This depends on a number of factors including the ulceration process. Ulceration is when the skin covers a broken melanoma. Stage 3 can be divided into 3A, 3B and 3C.

Stage 3A

The lymph nodes near the melanoma skin contain melanoma cancer cells.
The lymph nodes are not enlarged and can only be seen under a microscope.
Your melanoma isn't ulcerated and hasn't spread to other parts of your body.
If using the TNM stage, then T1- T4a, N1a, M0, and T1- T4a, N2a, M0.

Stage 3B

Your melanoma appears as an open sore and has spread to between one to three lymph nodes near the cancer cells. However, the lymph nodes are not enlarged and the cancer cells can only be seen under a microscope.
Your melanoma is not an open sore and has spread to between one to three nearby lymph nodes. Therefore, the lymph nodes may become enlarged or swollen.
Your melanoma is not ulcerated. The cancer cells have spread to the skin or lymphatic (lymph) channels, but nearby lymph nodes do not contain melanoma cancer cells.
If using the TNM stage, then T1-4b, N1a, M0. T1-4b, N2a, M0. T1-4a, N1b, M0. T1-4a, N2b, M0. T1-4a, N2c, M0.

Stage 3C

Your lymph nodes already contain melanoma cells, and there are melanoma cells in the skin or lymph ducts that are close to the main melanoma.
Your melanoma is ulcerated and has spread to between one to three nearby lymph nodes and has become swollen.
Your melanoma may be ulcerated and has spread to four or more nearby lymph nodes.
Your melanoma may be ulcerated and has spread to lymph nodes.
If using the TNM stage, then T1-4b, N1b, M0. T1-4b, N2b, M0. T1-4b, N2c, M0.

4. Stage 4 melanoma stage

In stage 4, your melanoma has entered the highest stage of melanoma. Melanoma cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. The organs that usually spread melanoma cancer cells are: