What are the different stages of skin cancer?

skin cancer occurs in phases. Each phase or phase determines how cancer has spread and how far the disease has progressed. Skin cancer stadins range from 0 to IV for non -melanoma and melanoma cancer. Doctors rely on the cancer phase and create the best treatment plan. Biopsy is done to tell doctors at what stage the cancer is, and whether it has spread. Cancer of skin with non -selanoma is usually caused by excessive exposure to sunlight. Growths often appear on the head, back, arms, chest or shoulders. The growths change shape, color or size.

skin cancer are rarer. Melanoma is also more aggressive. Melanomas begin in skin cells that create a pigment known as melanocyte cells. As with non -selanomas, this cancer may begin in mole or wart, but may also start in normal skin. When cancer is in the epidermis, it is phase 0, also referred to as carcinoma in situ . This is the first of the skin cancer phases.

Stage I is the second of the stages of skin cancer. At this stage is an evident tumor, but small. When the tumor is less than 0.75 inches (about 1.9 cm), it is classified as a skin degree II cancer, if the tumor is larger than the I., but is less than two inches (about 5 cm).

The remaining two phases of skin, III and IV cancer, are determined when doctors have evidence that cancer is spreading. If testing shows cancer in cartilage, bones, muscles or immediate lymph nodes, cancer is phase III. When cancer is in other parts of the body except the skin, phase IV is determined.

The

phase of melanoma cancer is much more specific and including the partial phase. Phase 0 is the same as non -selanoma cancer. The second phase, phase I, is divided into IA and IB. IA tumors are less than 1/16 inches (1 mm), located in the epidermis and upper dermis and have no ulceration. IB tumors can be indermis or tissue under the skin.

The remaining three stages of skin cancer are also divided. Each phase helps doctors to classify a tumor based on its measurement and location. Classification also helps doctors to create a more successful treatment plan with a greater chance of eradication of cancer.