A diagnosis of Stage 1 melanoma often brings concern. This article explores its nature, clarifying its classification, characteristics, and typical management.
Is Stage 1 Melanoma Cancer?
Stage 1 melanoma is considered cancer. It originates from melanocytes, the skin cells responsible for producing melanin. These cells, found in the epidermis, can undergo DNA changes leading to uncontrolled growth and tumor formation.
Its classification as cancer stems from its malignant nature. Unlike benign growths, melanoma cells can invade surrounding tissues and, if untreated, spread to other body parts. This potential for invasion and metastasis defines cancer. Even at Stage 1, this cancerous behavior necessitates medical intervention.
Understanding Stage 1 Melanoma
Stage 1 indicates an early-stage, localized tumor. The cancer cells are present in the epidermis and dermis, the first and second layers of the skin, and have not spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant sites.
Classification relies on tumor thickness, also known as Breslow depth, and the presence or absence of ulceration. Breslow depth measures how deeply the tumor has penetrated the skin, expressed in millimeters. For Stage 1 melanoma, thickness is typically up to 2 millimeters. Ulceration refers to a breakdown of the skin’s surface over the melanoma.
Stage 1 melanoma is further divided into two subgroups. Stage 1A describes melanomas less than 0.8 millimeters thick without ulceration. Stage 1B includes melanomas less than 0.8 millimeters thick with ulceration, or those between 0.8 and 2 millimeters thick with or without ulceration.
Treatment and Prognosis for Stage 1
Standard treatment for Stage 1 melanoma is wide local excision. This surgery removes the tumor along with a margin of healthy skin to ensure all cancer cells are removed. The size of this surgical margin depends on the melanoma’s thickness and location.
The prognosis for Stage 1 melanoma is favorable, with a high likelihood of successful treatment. The 5-year survival rate for localized melanoma, which includes Stage 1, is approximately 98.4%.
Post-treatment care involves ongoing monitoring. Individuals should perform monthly self-examinations of their skin and lymph nodes. Regular full-body skin examinations by a dermatologist are recommended annually for life. Physical examinations by a doctor every 6 to 12 months for the first five years, followed by annual checks, are also part of follow-up care.