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Stages of Melanoma
Stage II
Stage II is divided into stages IIA, IIB, and IIC:
- Stage IIA: In stage IIA, the tumor is 1 to 2 millimeters thick, with ulceration; or it is 2 to 4 millimeters thick, with no ulceration.
- Stage IIB: In stage IIB, the tumor is 2 to 4 millimeters thick, with ulceration; or it is more than 4 millimeters thick, with no ulceration.
- Stage IIC: In stage IIC, the tumor is more than 4 millimeters thick, with ulceration.
Stage III
In stage III melanoma, the tumor may be any thickness, with or without ulceration, and one of the following conditions are present:
- Has spread to one or more lymph nodes
- Has spread into the nearby lymph system but not into nearby lymph nodes
- Has spread to lymph nodes that are matted (not moveable)
- Satellite tumors (additional tumor growths within 2 centimeters of the original tumor) are present and nearby lymph nodes are involved.
Stage IV
In stage IV, the melanoma cells have spread to other organs, lymph nodes, or skin areas far away from the original tumor.
Recurrent Melanoma
Recurrent melanoma means that the cancer has come back (recurred) after it has been treated. In this melanoma stage, it may have come back in the original site or in another part of the body.
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD