Stage III Melanoma

Today we are going to go a little bit more in depth on what stage III melanoma is, and how it differs from the other stages of melanoma. Each stage is different, and each one represents the progression of the cancer.

Stage 0: Stage 0 tumors and in situ, which means they are noninvasive and have not penetrated below the surface of the skin

Stage I: Stage I tumors have invaded the skin but are small, non-ulcerated, and are growing at a slow mitotic rate

Stage II: Stage II tumors, though localized, are larger (generally over 1 mm. thick) and/or may be ulcerated or have a mitotic rate of greater than than 1/mm2; they are considered intermediate melanomas

Stage III: Stage III cancer have metastasized (spread) to lymph nodes

Stage IV: Cancer has spread to organs and other parts of the body, it then becomes terminal.

As I have said in my prior writings, my mother is stage III. This Managing Stage III Melanoma site gives a short and sweet explanation of what stage III melanoma is: " Stage 3 melanoma means that cancer is present in not just the skin cells at the time of diagnosis, but also the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small tissues located in your neck, under your arms, and in other areas throughout the body. Your lymph nodes may or may not be swollen in stage 3. Stage 3 melanoma is split into three categories: 3a, 3b, and 3c. Stage 3a is the least serious while stage 3c is the most advanced. Staging depends on the location of the cancer, the size of the tumors, and if they have ulcerated (spread to the mucus membranes)" Her cancer has spread to the lymph nodes nearest to where the cancer was found, which would be the lymph nodes in her groin. Since the cancer has advanced to this stage, surgical removal of all regional lymph nodes, as well as the removal of the primary cancer tumor (where the cancer was found). With the removal of the primary cancer, 2 centimeters of adjacent skin is also removed, so ensure there is no cancer left behind.

A huge chunk of patients have the risk of loco-regional relapse of melanoma. These means that people who have been diagnosed with melanoma an then cured, have a huge chance of the cancer returning. Texas Oncology states "Features associated with a high risk of recurrence at the primary site are positive microscopic margins, recurrent disease, and thick primary tumors with ulceration or satellitosis. Features associated with high risk for lymph node recurrence following surgical removal of the lymph nodes have also been defined and include involvement of 4 or more lymph nodes, lymph nodes measuring at lease 3 cm, lymph nodes in the neck (cervical region) and evidence of extra-capsular extension (tumor beyond the capsule of the normal lymph node)."

Now, an update on my momma! She unfortunately is still stuck in the same position s last week, she can't move on with surgeries or treatments until the infection of her skin is healed. We were told that the absolute soonest she would be able to start treatments is November 5th, but that's if they can get rid of her infection and get all of her surgeries done and healed before then. Since getting the mediciation to help get rid of the infection, her graft has been looking 10x better.

 This is the graft as of a few days ago, the scabs are starting to fall off and it is starting to look so much better.

This shows how the swelling of her foot has significantly gone down.