Is melanoma curable if caught early?

Is melanoma curable if caught early?

Melanoma is the most invasive skin cancer with the highest risk of death. While it’s a serious skin cancer, it’s highly curable if caught early. Prevention and early treatment are critical, especially if you have fair skin, blonde or red hair and blue eyes.

What is considered early stage melanoma?

The earliest stage melanomas are stage 0 (melanoma in situ), and then range from stages I (1) through IV (4). Some stages are split further, using capital letters (A, B, etc.). As a rule, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, such as stage IV, means cancer has spread more.

Does melanoma just appear suddenly?

Melanoma may suddenly appear without warning, but can also develop from or near an existing mole. It can occur anywhere on the body, but is most common on the upper back, torso, lower legs, head, and neck.

What does melanoma look like in early stages?

A large, asymmetrical melanoma with an uneven color and irregular border. A large, asymmetrical melanoma that is more than 10 millimeters (about 1/2 inch) wide. A melanoma with uneven color, an irregular border, and a scaly or flaky area.

What is the survival rate for Stage IV malignant melanoma?

According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate for stage 4 melanoma is 15-20 percent. This means that an estimated 15-20 percent of people with stage 4 melanoma will be alive 5 years after diagnosis.

What are the symptoms of an early stage melanoma?

They may contain hairs or become raised or wrinkled. Talk to your doctor about any change in the color or size of a mole or if itching, pain, bleeding or inflammation develops. The first sign of melanoma is often a mole that changes size, shape or color.

What is the first stage of melanoma?

Stage 2. Stage 2 melanoma means the tumor has grown more than 2 mm thick. Doctors will also analyze the tumor to see if it’s ulcerated. Surgery to remove the cancerous tumor is the usual treatment strategy. A doctor may also order a sentinel lymph node biopsy to determine the cancer’s progression.