Table 1 Stages of melanoma as per American Cancer Society
From: Advancements in nanoparticle-based treatment approaches for skin cancer therapy
Melanoma stage | Description |
|---|---|
0 | Tumor invades the skin surface (epidermis) with slow mitotic rate. Not spread to nearby lymph or distant tissues/organs. This stage is also termed “melanoma in situ.” |
I | Horizontal expansion of tumor on skin surface. Not more than 2 mm in thickness and might or might not be ulcerated. Not spread to nearby lymph or distant tissues/organs |
II | Vertical expansion of tumor, thickness ranging from minimum 1 mm to more than 4 mm. Ulcerated or non-ulcerated. Not spread to nearby lymph or distant tissues/organs |
III A | Tumor with not more than 2 mm thickness. Ulcerated or non-ulcerated. Cancer has spread to 1–3 nearby lymph nodes (can only be seen under microscope). Not spread to distant tissues/organs |
III B | Tumor with not more than 4 mm thickness. Ulcerated or non-ulcerated. Cancer has spread to 1 nearby lymph node and small areas of nearby skin. Not spread to distant tissues/organs |
III C | Tumor with not more than 4 mm thickness. Ulcerated or non-ulcerated. Cancer has spread to small areas of nearby skin and 4 or more nearby lymph nodes. Not spread to distant tissues/organs |
III D | Tumor with more than 4 mm thickness and ulcerated. Cancer has spread to small areas of nearby skin and 4 or more nearby lymph nodes. Not spread to distant tissues/organs |
IV | Tumor can have any thickness. Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and distant organs such as brain, liver, lungs, bone, or kidney |