If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer it is important to know the type and stage of your disease. Discuss this with your doctor thoroughly so you completely understand your treatment options. CPMC offers a variety of diagnostic techniques to determine the cancer stage. Your physician will determine the best treatment option for you based on your situation.

The following stages are used for melanoma

Stage O

Melanoma cells are found only in outer layer of skin cells and have not invaded deeper tissue.

Stage I

Stage I melanoma is thin (1-2 mm thick) and with or without ulceration. It does not involve lymph nodes or metastatic disease.

Stage II

Stage II is between 1.01-4mm in thickness, with or without ulceration and does not involve lymph nodes or metastatic disease.

Stage III

Stage III melanoma may be of any thickness with or without ulceration and involves lymph node metastasis. There is no evidence of distant metastasis.

Stage IIIA melanoma is not ulcerated and has spread to 1-3 lymph nodes near affected skin area. There is no evidence of distant metastasis.

Stage IIIB melanoma is ulcerated or not ulcerated and has spread to 1-3 nodes near affected near the affected area. Lymph nodes are enlarged. There is no evidence of distant metastasis.

Stage IIIC melanoma is ulcerated or not ulcerated and has spread to 4 or more nodes near affected near the affected area; or it has spread to nearby skin or lymphatic channels around the original tumor or lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are enlarged. There is no evidence of distant metastasis.

Stage IV

Stage IV melanoma has spread to lymph nodes that are beyond the original tumor and/or to internal organs, like lungs or liver.