Cancer-Symptoms.org

 

 
Cancer Search and Directory

Cancery Dictionary

 Index of the different types of cancer on this site.

 
Treatments Diagnosis Stages Pictures
Symptoms Prevention General information

Skin Cancer Staging

Staging of basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma

Stage 0: Carcinoma in situ that is confined to the epidermis - the top layer of the skin (see Skin Anatomy). Squamous cell carcinoma in situ - also known as Bowen's disease - is the first stage of squamous cell skin cancer.
Stage 1: Small tumor that is less than 2 centimeters in size and has not spread to the lymph nodes or other organs.
Stage 2: Tumor that is larger than 2 centimeters, but has not spread to the lymph nodes or other organs.
Stage 3: Tumor that has metastasized (spread) to the tissues under the skin (muscle, bone, or cartilage) and/or to the regional (nearby) lymph nodes.
Stage 4: Tumor of any size that has metastasized (spread) to distant organs such as the lungs or brain.

Saging for Melamona

The AJCC staging system is based on three sets of criteria: how thick the tumor is (T), the extent to which it has spread to the lymph nodes (N), and the extent to which it has metastasized to other parts of the body (M). The AJCC staging system is outlined below, with the TNM parameters and corresponding Clark's level in parentheses. The TNM levels are explained following the outline of the staging system. The AJCC and the Clark's level stages do not always correspond, and when they don't, the AJCC system should always take precedence.

 

Stage 0 This is melanoma in situ, meaning the cancer is in the epidermis and has not begun to spread yet. (Clark's level I)
Stage IA Localized melanoma that is less than 0.75 mm (Clark's level II: the tumor has spread to the upper dermis; T1N0M0).
Stage IB Localized melanoma that is thicker than 0.75 mm but less than 1.5 mm (Clark's level III: the tumor involves most of the upper dermis); T2N0M0).
Stage IIA Localized melanoma that is thicker than 1.5 mm but less than 4 mm (Clark's level IV: the tumor has spread to the lower dermis; T3N0M0).
Stage IIB Localized melanoma that is greater than 4 mm (Clark's level V: the tumor has spread beneath the dermis; T4N0M0).
Stage III The melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes or less than 5 in-transit metastases are found. An in-transit metastasis is metastasis that is located between the primary tumor and the closest lymph node region. It results from melanoma cells getting trapped in the lymphatic channels (any T, N1M0).
Stage IV The tumor has metastasized to other parts of the body (any T, any N, M1 or M2).

TNM levels
Thickness of the primary tumor (T):

T1: The tumor is 0.75 mm or less in thickenss and invades the upper dermis.
T2: The tumor is more than 0.75 mm but not more than 1.5 mm in thickness and/or begins to invade the lower dermis.
T3: The tumor is more than 1.5 mm but not more than 4 mm in thickness and/or invades the lower dermis.
T3a: The tumor is more than 1.5 mm but not more than 3 mm in thickness.
T3b: The tumor is more than 3 mm but not more than 4 mm in thickness.
T4: The tumor is more than 4 mm in thickness and/or invades the subcutaneous tissue (the tissue beneath the skin) and/or satellites within 2 cm of the primary tumor.
T4a: The tumor is more than 4 mm in thickness and/or invades the subcutaneous tissue.
T4b: The tumor satellites within 2 cm of the primary tumor.

Involvement of The Regional Lymph Nodes (N)

NX: The regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed.
N0: There is no regional lymph node metastasis.
N1: Metastasis is 3 cm or less in greatest dimension in any regional lymph node(s).
N2: Metastasis is more than 3 cm in greatest dimension in any regional lymph node(s) and/or there is in-transit metastasis. An in-transit metastasis is one that is located between the primary tumor and the closest lymph node region. It results from melanoma cells getting trapped in the lymphatic channels.
N2a: Metastasis is more than 3 cm in greatest dimension in any regional lymph node.
N2b: There is in-transit metastasis.
N2c: Both N2a and N2b.

Extent of Distant Metastasis (M)

MX: Distant metastasis cannot be assessed.
M0: There is no distant metastasis.
M1: Distant metastasis is present.
M1a: Metastasis is in the skin or subcutaneous tissue or lymph node(s) beyond the regional lymph nodes.
M1b: Metastasis occurs in other parts of the body.
 

 Skin Cancer Picture
 
 

 

This web site is intended for your own informational purposes only. No person or entity associated with this web site purports to be engaging in the practice of medicine through this medium. The information you receive is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician or other health care professional. If you have an illness or medical problem, contact your health care provider.