Melanoma/Skin Cancer Health Center

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Stage II

Stage II melanoma. In stage IIA, the tumor is either more than 1 but not more than 2 millimeters thick, with ulceration (break in the skin), OR it is more than 2 but not more than 4 millimeters thick, with no ulceration. In stage IIB, the tumor is either more than 2 but not more than 4 millimeters thick, with ulceration, OR it is more than 4 millimeters thick, with no ulceration. In stage IIC, the tumor is more than 4 millimeters thick, with ulceration. Skin thickness is different on different parts of the body.

Stage II is divided into stages IIA, IIB, and IIC.

• Stage IIA: In stage IIA, the tumor is either:
  • more than 1 but not more than 2 millimeters thick, with ulceration; or
  • more than 2 but not more than 4 millimeters thick, with no ulceration.
• Stage IIB: In stage IIB, the tumor is either:
  • more than 2 but not more than 4 millimeters thick, with ulceration; or
  • more than 4 millimeters thick, with no ulceration.
• Stage IIC: In stage IIC, the tumor is more than 4 millimeters thick, with ulceration.

Stage III

Stage III melanoma. The tumor may be any thickness, with or without ulceration (a break in the skin), and (a) cancer has spread to one or more lymph nodes; (b) lymph nodes with cancer may be joined together (matted); (c) cancer may be in a lymph vessel between the primary tumor and nearby lymph nodes; and/or (d) very small tumors may be found on or under the skin, not more than 2 centimeters away from the primary tumor.

In stage III, the tumor may be any thickness, with or without ulceration. One or more of the following is true:

• Cancer has spread to one or more lymph nodes.
• Lymph nodes may be joined together (matted).
• Cancer may be in a lymph vessel between the primary tumor and nearby lymph nodes.
• Very small tumors may be found on or under the skin, not more than 2 centimeters away from where the cancer first started.

Stage IV

Stage IV melanoma. The tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

In stage IV, the cancer has spread to other places in the body, such as the lung, liver, brain, bone, soft tissue, or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Cancer may also spread to places in the skin far away from where the cancer first started.