American Melanoma Foundation > Diagnosis & Treatment

Biopsy

Staging of
Melanoma

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Treatment

Staging of Melanoma

Following a diagnosis of melanoma, your doctor will determine its current stage. Staging is a system of classifying the severity of the disease. It is very a important factor in optimally treating your melanoma.

	Stage 1 Tumors that are 0-2.0 mm without ulceration or 0-1.0 with ulceration. Surgical excision is highly effective (90% cure rate for lesions < 1 mm). (click on image for larger image)
	Stage II Tumors that are 1.01 mm or greater and are ulcerated or 2.01 mm or more and are non-ulcerated. (click on image for larger image)
	Stage III (Regional Disease) The primary tumor has satellite or in-transit metastasis or has spread to regional lymph nodes. (click on image for larger image)
	Stage IV (distant Metastasis) Tumor has spread beyond the lymph nodes, usually to the lung (70-80%), liver (54-77%) or the brain (36-54%). (click on image for larger image)

Information provided courtesy
of Chiron Corporation