First Stage of Melanoma

The first stage of melanoma isn't something that most people know much about. That's because doctors almost never see stage zero melanoma.

This very early type of skin cancer is much less dangerous than other stages of melanoma, but it's also a lot harder to notice in time to get easy treatment. This is why it's such a good idea to get regular medical checkups if you're at risk for skin cancer, instead of just sticking to self screening.

Your doctor can help you more easily find this stage of melanoma. It's important to know everything you can about all stages of cancer. Let's take a look at the facts so you'll know all about this one.

What Is Malignant Melanoma?

Stage zero melanoma is also called melanoma in situ. "In situ" is a Latin phrase that means "in place". The term tells us that this kind of tumor isn't going to go anywhere.

• It's limited to the upper layer of our skin, called epidermis.
• This kind of cancer hasn't spread to any other layers of the skin.
• It also hasn't moved to nearby tissues, to lymph nodes, or to any distant part of the body.
Melanoma

Stage Zero Treatment

This stage of melanoma is easy to treat. It usually requires out patient surgery. The tumor is removed, and not much extra tissue needs to be taken away.

Usually, the doctor will need to remove only a quarter of an inch of healthy skin around the tumor. That means a smaller scar. It also means that reconstructive surgery isn't required for melanoma in situ. Most people will be able to go home and get back to their lives after the tumor is removed.

When we find and treat melanoma early, it's much safer and easier. If you have melanoma stage zero, and you get treatment, your chances of survival for the next five years are a hundred percent.

That's right - every patient treated for this very early stage of skin cancer lives for the next five years. If you compare that to the later skin cancer stages, you'll see why it's so important to have treatment early. It's less expensive, less dangerous, and easier to recover from. Early treatment has no downsides.

Skin Cancer Prevention and early detection

After Treatment For Melanoma In Situ

Melanoma Treatment. Anyone who has had skin cancer should be very careful. That applies even for really small cancers in the early stages.

If you have had skin cancer, even stage zero, you need to get your skin examined every six months for the one to two years after you have surgery. For years three, four and five, you should get a checkup at least every year. Your doctor can help you decide when to schedule your exams. She can also tell you what your risk is and how often you should have them. This is based on the chances that you might have your tumor come back.

After you have your cancer treated, you are at higher risk for getting a new one. That means taking a few steps to limit your sun exposure and other risk factors. For instance, people who have had skin cancer should think about avoiding cigarettes. Tobacco smoke can make your skin cancer risk go up.

But if you take these steps, you should have a much lower chance of getting skin cancer again. Learning all we can about skin cancer is the best way to stay safe. By taking action, we can live healthier, happier, longer lives.

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