Stages of Melanoma Cancers

Melanoma cancer is a type of cancer that is caused by skin damage from the sun. This type of cancer has four separate stages that define the progression of the the cancer cells. Depending on which stage a patient is diagnosed at, the survival rates can vary. By learning about the different stages of melanoma cancer, people can get diagnosed faster and improve their treatment rate.

Stages one and two

Stages one and two are the most crucial stages for early diagnosis. Patients who are diagnosed within the first two stages of melanoma cancer have a much higher survival rate than those diagnosed in later stages. During stage one the cancer has not spread to any lymph nodes and the tumor is less than one to two millimeters. At stage two the cancer still has not spread to any nodes and is measuring at greater then four millimeters.

Stages three and four

During stages three and four, the survival rates drop among patients. Stage three is when the tumor may start to ulcerate and the cancer has spread to at least three nodes. At stage four, the tumor is no longer the focus of the doctor. This is due to the fact that during stage four the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body and the survival rate is very low.

When it comes to melanoma cancer, early diagnosis is key. Although this is a fairly preventable cancer, it is also among the most common cancers diagnosed in patients. What starts as a blemish can quickly progress to a life threatening condition. That is why it is important for people to educate themselves on melanoma cancer.