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.
