The skin contains a number of specialized cells that provide a barrier separating the internal tissue from the environment. Among the cell types that make up skin are melanocytes, pigment cells that produce the protein melanin, which provides the skin's natural color. Cancer of the melanocytes, called melanoma, often begins with the abnormal growth of moles on the skin. If left undetected, the melanoma will advance, and in its final stages, can eventually prove fatal.
Stage IIIB
Stage IIIB is a form of melanoma that has begun to spread to other tissues, such as the lymph nodes. The primary, or initial, tumor may appear ulcerated, appearing as a sore or scab that does not properly heal, even after weeks of appearing. Further analysis of the skin around the tumor may detect migrating cancer cells, and dissection of the lymph nodes may reveal the presence of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Left untreated, the melanoma will continue to grow and migrate into other tissues.
Stage IIIC
Stage IIIC melanoma has more aggressively spread into other tissues. The initial primary tumor may or may not appear ulcerated. The skin around the tumor contains a number of cancer cells, and cancer growth is detected within numerous lymph nodes as well as the lymph vessels connecting the nodes. Melanoma growth within the lymph nodes eventually leads to node swelling. Eventually the nodes become matted together with cancerous growth, and may stick to surrounding tissues. Stage IIIC melanoma is the most advanced stage of melanoma that has not yet metastasized.
Stage IV
The most advanced stage of melanoma, stage IV, refers to cancer that has metastasized and begun growing in distant tissues. Patients with stage IV melanoma typically have thick and large primary tumors and extensive lymph node colonization in addition to melanoma metastases in the liver, lungs, brain or other areas of the skin. The National Cancer Institute indicates that stage IV melanoma requires aggressive treatment, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation treatments or experimental therapies to stop or slow cancer growth.
