Yes, there are five stages of melanoma you should be aware of. These five stages include:
Stage 0 (melanoma in situ) – cancer is in the early phase and confined to the top layer of skin.
Stage 1 – cancer has spread deeper into the skin and has a thickness of 1 millimeter to 2 millimeters.
Stage 2 – cancer is still only in the skin with no sign of spreading but has a thickness greater than 2 millimeters
Stage 3 – usually means the melanoma has spread to either nearby lymph nodes or between the melanoma and lymph nodes.
Stage 4 – cancer has invaded surrounding tissue and spread to other, more distant parts of the body.
If melanoma is detected in its earliest stages, the 5-year survival rate is around 99%. This is why we recommend adults perform a monthly skin cancer self-exam and see a board-certified dermatologist for yearly checks to uncover any suspicious spots or abnormal moles. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!