Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. While it is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, it is also one of the most treatable. Most melanoma is first diagnosed by a change in the color or shape of an existing mole or skin lesion. If a melanoma is not detected early enough it can begin to spread. The spreading of melanoma or other cancers is called metastasis. When melanoma has spread to nearby areas or lymph nodes it is typically at stage 3. This is a serious stage of the disease and the prognosis can be life-threatening.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a cancer that forms in the melanocytes of the skin. Signs of melanoma can be detected early at home by recognizing the ABCD & Es of its characteristics. A stands for asymmetry. With a mole, the sides should be much like the opposite half; if not, this could be a sign of early melanoma. B is for border. The border of moles should always be defined. Uneven or jagged edges could signal a melanoma. C is for color. If the mole is irregular or mixed in color, this could also be a sign of melanoma. D is for diameter. Moles or lesions larger than 6 mm, or the size of a pencil eraser, should be biopsied. E stands for evolving. Any change in size, color or shape of a mole could indicate the presence of melanoma and should be evaluated by a dermatologist.
Understanding Melanoma Staging
Melanoma is generally staged in five categories. Stage 1 is when the melanoma has begun to invade the bottom surface of the skin called the dermis. In most cases the melanoma is successfully removed and no further treatment is necessary. Stage 2 is more advanced but still generally contained. The melanoma has moved into areas of the nearby dermis, generally between 2 and 4 mm deep. Stage 3 is a very serious advancement of the melanoma. This means the cancer has spread to nearby skin areas deep within the tissues and the dermis. It also means nearby lymph nodes are infected. Stage 4 is often diagnosed just before the cancer has shown to have spread to vital organs in stage 5. Stage 4 shows lymph node invasion, nearby tissue invasion and new lesions on vital organs. A stage 5 diagnosis rarely responds to treatment. This generally means palliative measures will be set in place to help the patient feel comfortable during their last weeks or months of life.
Treatment Options
The treatments for stage 3 melanoma are often aggressive. The oncologist and dermatologist will want to fight off as much of the cancer as possible to prevent further metastases. The melanoma itself will be removed via surgical excision. All lymph nodes will be removed that are infected with the cancer. Any nearby organs that show signs of new or existing lesions will be removed if possible. An intense round of radiation therapy will target the infected area. Chemotherapy may be used to attack any cancer cells left behind. The oncologist may ask the patient to take medications like interferon-alpha as a long-term preventative measure.
Prognosis
According to Huntsman Cancer Institute in Utah, the prognosis for stage 3 is somewhat poor. It means there is a 30 to 70 percent chance the cancer will metastasize to stage 5 within five years. Following up a course of treatment with regular visits to the oncologist and dermatologist will help with early detection should the cancer reoccur.
Reoccurrence
Reoccurrence happens when the original cancer redevelops or a new case of melanoma occurs. Reoccurrence often comes back as a more aggressive form of melanoma. This can rapidly spread to a stage 4 or 5 by the time it is detected. In many cases, a reoccurrence means the cancer has spread to remaining lymph nodes and vital organs such as the liver, brain or bladder.
