Overview
Stage 4 Melanoma is a cancer that has spread from the original location in your skin to distant parts of your body.
Understanding your Stage 4 Melanoma diagnosis will help you partner with your doctors to make the best treatment choice for you. Tap “Watch Now” for an easy-to-understand overview of Stage 4 Melanoma.
- Stage 4 Melanoma
Overview
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A Stage 4 Melanoma diagnosis means that the cancer has spread beyond your skin and closest lymph nodes, shown here in green, to distant organs in your body.
Common places the cancer spreads to are your brain, lungs, bones, liver, spinal cord, bone, soft tissue, including your muscles, your stomach and/or your distant lymph nodes.
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 4 Melanoma Prevention
Specific prevention strategies for Stage 0 Melanoma, also known as melanoma in situ, are not detailed for this early stage. However, general recommendations to reduce the risk of developing melanoma include:
- Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure: Limit time in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV radiation is 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 shield your skin from UV radiation.
- 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: Have regular skin exams by a dermatologist, especially if you have a personal or family history of melanoma, numerous moles, or a history of severe sunburns.
Avoid Tanning Beds: Do not use tanning beds or other artificial sources of UV light, as they increase the risk of melanoma.
Source: AimatMelanoma.org
Stage 4 Melanoma Treatment
Treatment for Stage 4 melanoma, which means the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, often involves a combination of therapies tailored to the individual’s specific condition. Treatment options may include Immunotherapy, Targeted Therapy, Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, Surgery. Now Click Here To Compare Your Latest Treatment Options.
Source: AimatMelanoma.org
Stage 4 Melanoma Survival Rate
The five-year survival rate for stage 4 melanoma is 31.9%. That means 31.9% of people diagnosed with the disease are alive five years later.
Source: Cancer.gov
Stage 4 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 4 Melanoma Definition
Stage 4 melanoma is defined as melanoma that has spread beyond the original site and nearby lymph nodes to distant parts of the body. This stage is characterized by metastases, meaning the cancer has spread to organs such as the lungs, liver, brain, or bones, or to distant lymph nodes. At this advanced stage, melanoma is more challenging to treat and typically requires systemic therapies like immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or chemotherapy, depending on the specific characteristics of the cancer and the patient’s overall health.
Source: AimatMelanoma.org
Stage 4 Melanoma Recurrence Rate
The recurrence rate for Stage 4 melanoma varies significantly depending on several factors, including the specific treatments received, the locations of metastases, and individual patient characteristics. Generally, Stage 4 melanoma has a high likelihood of recurrence because it has already spread to distant parts of the body. The survival rates and recurrence risks are lower compared to earlier stages, and ongoing monitoring and treatment are crucial for managing the disease.
Source: AimatMelanoma.org
