What are the stages of malignant melanoma?

• Stage 1 - The melanoma is just on the surface of the skin. It is less than 2mm thick (less than 1/10th of an inch).


• Stage 2 - The melanoma is still just on the surface of the skin. However, it is over 2mm thick. There may be other small pockets of cancerous cells near the main melanoma.


• Stage 3 - The melanoma has reached nearby lymph nodes. Cancerous cells are present which are further away than 5cm (2 inches) from the main melanoma.


• Stage 4 - Melanoma cells have spread elsewhere in the body, such as the brain or the lungs.