What are the stages of melanoma for Plano area residents?

When patients in Plano visit the Center for Dermatology and Cosmetic Laser Surgery, they are often anxious about skin cancer. Skin cancer is a growing concern yet one of the cancers that can be easily detected and has a high cure rate. Patients are urged to have skin cancer screenings done annually to monitor changes in moles that may trigger a concern for melanoma.

What is melanoma?

Melanoma is a type of cancer that can be diagnosed with a physical examination and a biopsy. Afterwards, melanoma is determined to be in a specific “stage.” These range from stage zero to stage five.

Stages of melanoma

Determining the stage melanoma has reached is done with a physical examination and other tests, such as bloodwork or surgical tests. Blood chemistry studies, CT scans, PET scans, and MRIs may be utilized, and in certain cases of melanoma, a sentinel lymph node biopsy is done which checks for melanoma cells in lymph nodes. The melanoma may also be staged using the size and depth. For example, a stage IA cancer is less than a millimeter and has no ulceration, while a stage IV cancer has spread to other places of the body, which may include the soft tissues, brain, lungs, or liver. This is determined with the use of specialized testing.

Learn more today

At the Center for Dermatology and Cosmetic Laser Surgery, patients are encouraged to learn about skin cancer and the specifics of melanoma if they have concerns. Dr. Bryan Selkin and the staff at our practice can assist. We welcome patients in the areas of Plano, Flower Mound, McKinney to book an appointment by calling our main line at 972-985-9003. We welcome new patients and can treat a myriad of skin, hair, and body conditions.