Overview
Stage 0 Melanoma diagnosis is also called In Situ Melanoma, means that the cancer is only on the top layer of your skin, called the epidermis.
Understanding your Stage 0 Melanoma Cancer 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 0 Melanoma.
- Melanoma Stage 0 Diagnosis
Overview
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Stage 0 Melanoma diagnosis, also called In Situ Melanoma, means that the cancer has only affected the top layer of your skin called epidermis, shown here in dark pink.
As you can see, the abnormal area has not spread into deeper tissues of the skin, nor has it affected the closest lymph nodes or any other organs in your body.
What Tests Will I Need and Why?
Blood and Imaging tests may be 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, which is critical to finding the best treatment option for you.
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 0 Melanoma surgery.
Stage 0 melanoma (melanoma in situ) has not grown deeper than the top layer of the skin (the epidermis). It is usually treated by surgery (wide excision) to remove the melanoma and a small margin of normal skin around it. The removed sample is then sent to a lab to be looked at with a microscope.
Source: Cancer.org
Stage 0 Melanoma risk factors.
A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Although risk factors can influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer.
The following factors may raise a person’s risk of developing melanoma:
- Sun exposure
- Indoor tanning
- Fair Skin
- Family history
- Previous skin cancer
Source: Cancer.net
Stage 0 Melanoma definition.
Stage 0 or In Situ Melanoma, means that the tumor is only on the most superficial layer of the skin (epidermis). It has not spread into deeper tissues, nor has it affected the closest lymph nodes or other organs.
Source: AimatMelanoma.org
Stage 0 Melanoma prognosis.
According to SEER data, Stage 0 Melanoma is highly curable and has a survival rate of 99.5%. This generally means that people with Stage 0 Melanoma are 99.5% as likely as people without cancer to live for 5 years after the diagnosis.
Source: Cancer.gov
Stage 0 Melanoma treatment.
Stage 0 melanoma is removed surgically, with minimal but clear margins. This is sometimes called an excision. Wide local excision, a minor surgery, usually cures local melanoma.
Source: Curemelanoma.org
