Overview
Stage 3 Melanoma is divided into Stage 3A, Stage 3B, Stage 3C and 3D. The sub-stage depends upon how and where the cancer has spread to beyond your skin.
Understanding your Stage 3 Melanoma Cancer diagnosis will help you partner with your doctors to make the best treatment choice for you. Tap “Watch Now” and for an easy-to-understand overview of Stage 3 Melanoma.
- Stage 3 Melanoma
Overview
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A Stage 3 Melanoma diagnosis means that the cancer has spread beyond the skin into your closest lymph nodes. See the point (a) on the image.
In some cases, Stage 3 Melanoma can also mean that the tumor has formed small nodes under the skin around it. Those nodes are called “Satellite” or “In-transit” nodes, depending upon how close or how far they are from where the Melanoma was first found.
Your specific stage, 3A, 3B, 3C or 3D will be assigned to the cancer by your Dr. depending upon how the cancer in your lymph nodes was diagnosed, the number of affected lymph nodes and the presence or absence of Satellite or In-Transit nodes on or under your skin.
What Tests Will I Need and Why?
Blood and Imaging tests are done to understand your general health, confirm your diagnosis and determine your cancer stage.
Tissue analysis is also typically done to identify the cancer cell type and BRAF mutation, which is critical to finding the best treatment option for you. BRAF mutation is present in 40-60% of all melanoma patients.
If your treatment team has not already performed tests to determine your cancer’s features, please ask your doctor when these tests will be performed.
Re-read this summary as needed and then tap, “Compare My Treatment Options Now“. Our unique Comparison Page will help you understand your FDA-approved treatment options including, who can help you pay for your treatment, where and how each is given and what side-effects you may experience.
National Institute of Health/ treatment-melanoma
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Commonly Searched Questions
Stage 3 Melanoma Prevention
Specific prevention strategies for Stage 3 Melanoma, which has spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues but not to distant parts of the body, are not explicitly outlined for this advanced stage. However, general preventive measures to reduce the risk of developing melanoma or managing melanoma include:
- Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure: Limit time in direct sunlight, particularly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest. Seek shade whenever possible.
- Use Sunscreen: Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed skin, and reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
- Wear Protective Clothing: Use hats, sunglasses, and long-sleeved clothing to protect your skin from UV rays.
- Perform Regular Skin Checks: Conduct monthly self-exams to monitor your skin for new or changing moles or spots, noting any changes in size, shape, or color.
- Regular Dermatologist Visits: Schedule regular skin exams with a dermatologist, especially if you have a history of melanoma, numerous moles, or a family history of the disease.
Avoid Tanning Beds: Do not use tanning beds or other artificial sources of UV light, as they increase the risk of melanoma.
Source: Curemelanoma.org
Stage 3 Melanoma Survival Rate
The five-year survival rate for stage 3 melanoma is 70.6%. That means 70.6% of people diagnosed with the disease are alive five years later.
Source: Cancer.gov
Stage 3 Melanoma Symptoms
Look for anything new, changing, or unusual on your skin, especially new moles. The ABCDE can help you detect Melanoma.
- A for asymmetry
- B for borders (uneven)
- C for color (multiple colors in one mole)
- D for diameter (larger than 6mm)
- E for evolving (size, shape, color, elevation of a spot on your skin)
Source: Skincancer.org
Stage 3 Melanoma Treatment
The typical treatment approach for stage 3 melanoma is a wide excision surgery to remove the primary tumor, as well as a dissection to remove the lymph node(s). Following surgery, further treatment may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, or radiation therapy.
Source: Mountsinai.org
Stage 3 Melanoma Definition
Stage 3 melanoma is defined as cancer that has spread beyond the primary tumor to nearby lymph nodes or to areas around the primary tumor but has not yet spread to distant parts of the body. This stage is characterized by:
- Stage 3A: The melanoma has spread to 1 to 3 nearby lymph nodes, but the nodes are not swollen, or there is in-transit metastasis (melanoma spread to the skin or subcutaneous tissue between the primary site and regional lymph nodes) but no nodal involvement.
- Stage 3B: The melanoma may have spread to 1 to 3 nearby lymph nodes, and/or there may be in-transit metastasis or satellite melanoma (small clusters of melanoma cells within 2 centimeters of the primary tumor) present. The lymph nodes may be swollen.
- Stage 3C: The melanoma has spread to more than 3 nearby lymph nodes, and/or there is significant in-transit metastasis or satellite melanoma, often with swollen lymph nodes.
Stage 3 melanoma indicates that the cancer is locally advanced but has not yet reached distant organs or tissues.
Source: Healthline.com
Stage 3 Melanoma Recurrence Rate
The recurrence rate for Stage 3 melanoma can vary depending on several factors, including the specific characteristics of the cancer and the treatment received. On average, Stage 3 melanoma has a relatively high risk of recurrence compared to earlier stages. The 5-year survival rate for Stage 3 melanoma patients is approximately 40-78%, but the likelihood of recurrence remains significant.
For more detailed and personalized information, it is best to consult with healthcare professionals who can provide insights based on individual cases and the latest research.
Source: Curemelanoma.org
