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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Melanoma Cancer Stages


Melanoma cancer stages or phases are different levels representing initialization of cancer cells to their metastasis in different areas of body. Each level has different melanoma cancer survival rate and shows varied early signs. Diagnosis is the most basic way of identifying stage a victim is suffering from. Thus, diagnosis is considered as the backbone of treating malignant disorder of melanocytes in a timely and effective manner.

What is the Meaning of Melanoma Cancer stages?

Like any other kinds of malignant cancerous growths, cell abnormality in skin tissues occurs in a form of systematic progress of infection from local to wide areas. Generally, the infection initiates with abnormal growth of cells that are non-cancerous in character and do not cause any major severe consequences in long-run. Healthy tissues in the region can sustain such infection for quite some time and their functioning is also not hampered to a noticeable extent.

Situation becomes serious when these non-cancerous polyps start increasing their scope to different regions and suddenly display tendency of turning cancerous. This consequently hampers cell growth process and prevents normal functioning of tissues. It further leads to weakening of inner resistance (immune system) of the person and finally creates conditions conducive for tumors to develop and spread freely.

Stages of melanoma cancer are the phases representing conversion of non-cancerous tumors to cancerous ones and displays pattern of their spread from one organ to other or from one portion to other. The process is termed as metastasis and can lead to fatality of the patient in long-run. Cancer of melanocytes  is highly treatable in the initial stages while chances of safe survival and complete recovery decreases as the disease advances to remote areas.

Prime Melanoma Cancer Stages

Stage 0 (also called as melanoma in situ) is a condition which displays presence of abnormal melanocytes in only the epidermis region. It is a pre-cancerous stage and cell abnormality do no0t cause any major impact on body. These cells can be removed by surgery.

Stage 1 represents tumors that are not more than 1 mm thick and do not show ulceration. In rare cases, tumors may be around 2 mm thick. Survival rate ranges between 92-97%.

Stage 2 displays tumors that are around 2-4 mm thick and may or may not show ulceration. In late  phases of this stage, tumor thickness can go beyond 4 mm. Average life expectancy ranges within 53-81%.

Stage 3 is a situation in which the cancer cells start infecting at least one lymph node. The infection can even cause matting or joining of lymph nodes. Tumor formation takes place within a radius of 2 cm from point of origin of cancer. Average chances to survive may be between 40-78%.

Stage 4 is the last phase wherein cancer tumors affect most possible areas falling in their way.  Some of the main organs likely to get affected are gastrointestinal tract, lungs, eyes, liver, and bones. One has just 15-205 chances to survive if detected for the disorder at this stage.

Melanoma cancer stages can be best identified if diagnosis is done taking general health condition of victim. Mental condition and medical history play an important role in undergoing proper and suitable treatments once the stage is identified. Going for regular medical tests and monitoring changes in body functioning is one of the best preventive methods to avoid cancerous growth  or at least curb it in minimum possible time period.