In Stage 0 melanoma, is local melanoma, meaning it has not spread beyond the primary tumor. The original malignant tumor is still confined to the upper layer of the skin. The cancer cells are only in the epidermis, or the outer portion of the skin and hasn’t grown deep within.
So, what does “situ” means? I didn’t know when I was diagnosed and took me forever to remember it!! It means it’s in the same place as the original tumor started or “in place”. This is also, the best possible outcome for skin cancer because, this also means that there is no evidence the your cancer has spread to through the lymphatic system or into your lymph nodes. This is key to early prevention, people!!! If the tumor does spread beyond the original site, the tumor has now, metastasized. Which is exactly what happened to me in 2008! My tumor spread into my left armpit, after my second daughter was born. Just 2 weeks later!
Tumor in situ, cancer cells are found only in the outer layer of skin (the epidermis), not the second layer of skin (the dermis). My diagnosis tumor was: 9mm, dark risen mole, Stage IIA, Clark level III, motitic index: less than 9mm.
Extra info, you may need to understand:
N0: means melanoma has not spread to the lymph nodes
M0: means melanoma has not spread to distant sites (metastasized)
Reoccurrence Level: Patients with Stage 0 melanoma are considered at very low risk for local recurrence or for regional and distant metastases.
Treatment for Stage 0 melanoma (in situ) is surgery: deep shaven biopsy, punch biopsy, wide excision or sentinel node biopsy (check lymph nodes).
*please seek medical support if you have areas of concern*
Info: my personal story + AimatMelanoma
