Stages of Melanoma (Cont.)

 
Stage I Melanoma
Stage I melanoma is divided into stages IA and IB.
 
In stage IA melanoma:
 
  • The tumor is not more than 1 millimeter thick, with no ulceration
  • The tumor is in the epidermis
  • The tumor is in the upper layer of the dermis.
 
In stage IB melanoma:
 
  • The tumor is not more than 1 millimeter thick, with ulceration
  • The tumor may have spread into the dermis or the tissues below the skin
  • The tumor is 1 to 2 millimeters thick, with no ulceration.
 
Stage II Melanoma
Stage II melanoma 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 Melanoma
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.
(Stages of Melanoma Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD