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Stage at Diagnosis and Current Stage
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Stage at Diagnosis and Current Stage

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Stage at Diagnosis and Current Stage

  • Post
    • March 14, 2016 at 12:31 am
    Kare83
    Participant

      Just a query.. When reading some patients stories, it says Stage at Diagnosis and then Current Stage.

      Some patients put Stage 0 or 1 at diagnosis though their current stage might be higher.. Does this mean they originally had a Stage 1 and then the melanoma came back later, at a further stage? 

      And first diagnosed date is from their very first Melanoma?

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • March 14, 2016 at 2:22 am
        CHD
        Participant

          Hi Kare,

           

          Stage at diagnosis is the stage when originally diagnosed.  So you might be stage 1 originally, with no lymph node involvement and no metastasis.  Or you might be stage 3 with lymph node involvement.  Later you may progress to metastatic disease, in which case you would then be classfied as stage 4 (metastatic melanoma).

           

          We all start out at different stages depending on how advanced our melanoma is when it is caught.  If we have lymph node involvement at the time of diagnosis, we start out at stage 3.  If we have a very thin melanoma (stage 0 to 1, possibly 2), we start out that way, and possibly years later we may advance to metastatic disease in the lungs or liver or bones or somewhere else, in which case we would be classified as stage 4.  Stage 3 melanoma generally indicates lymph node involvement.  You can find web sites that detail out the melanoma staging criteria.

           

          Hope that is helpful.

           

          Cheri

          • March 14, 2016 at 2:22 am
          CHD
          Participant

            Hi Kare,

             

            Stage at diagnosis is the stage when originally diagnosed.  So you might be stage 1 originally, with no lymph node involvement and no metastasis.  Or you might be stage 3 with lymph node involvement.  Later you may progress to metastatic disease, in which case you would then be classfied as stage 4 (metastatic melanoma).

             

            We all start out at different stages depending on how advanced our melanoma is when it is caught.  If we have lymph node involvement at the time of diagnosis, we start out at stage 3.  If we have a very thin melanoma (stage 0 to 1, possibly 2), we start out that way, and possibly years later we may advance to metastatic disease in the lungs or liver or bones or somewhere else, in which case we would be classified as stage 4.  Stage 3 melanoma generally indicates lymph node involvement.  You can find web sites that detail out the melanoma staging criteria.

             

            Hope that is helpful.

             

            Cheri

            • March 14, 2016 at 2:22 am
            CHD
            Participant

              Hi Kare,

               

              Stage at diagnosis is the stage when originally diagnosed.  So you might be stage 1 originally, with no lymph node involvement and no metastasis.  Or you might be stage 3 with lymph node involvement.  Later you may progress to metastatic disease, in which case you would then be classfied as stage 4 (metastatic melanoma).

               

              We all start out at different stages depending on how advanced our melanoma is when it is caught.  If we have lymph node involvement at the time of diagnosis, we start out at stage 3.  If we have a very thin melanoma (stage 0 to 1, possibly 2), we start out that way, and possibly years later we may advance to metastatic disease in the lungs or liver or bones or somewhere else, in which case we would be classified as stage 4.  Stage 3 melanoma generally indicates lymph node involvement.  You can find web sites that detail out the melanoma staging criteria.

               

              Hope that is helpful.

               

              Cheri

              • March 14, 2016 at 3:31 am
              Janner
              Participant

                You can't know exactly, because it is possible to have a stage 1 or 2  primary and say that was your original diagnosis, then a SNB puts you at stage 3.  So those fields are open to interpretation because the staging may be upgraded at the time of diagnosis as well as at a later date.  And each person might enter that differently.  Reading that data and trying to look at it statistically or prognostically is unwise as each persons melanoma is unique.

                • March 14, 2016 at 3:31 am
                Janner
                Participant

                  You can't know exactly, because it is possible to have a stage 1 or 2  primary and say that was your original diagnosis, then a SNB puts you at stage 3.  So those fields are open to interpretation because the staging may be upgraded at the time of diagnosis as well as at a later date.  And each person might enter that differently.  Reading that data and trying to look at it statistically or prognostically is unwise as each persons melanoma is unique.

                    • March 14, 2016 at 4:06 pm
                    liberty04281
                    Participant
                      Yes, it is exactly as you said. When I was first diagnosed it was stage 1, than I progressed to stage 3, than to stage 4. It was six years ago when I first diagnosed with melanoma. I am still living happy and healthy life, without pain, and working full time. I had a few surgeries and last year immunotherapy, treatment with Yervoy. I hope to live many more years.
                      • March 14, 2016 at 4:06 pm
                      liberty04281
                      Participant
                        Yes, it is exactly as you said. When I was first diagnosed it was stage 1, than I progressed to stage 3, than to stage 4. It was six years ago when I first diagnosed with melanoma. I am still living happy and healthy life, without pain, and working full time. I had a few surgeries and last year immunotherapy, treatment with Yervoy. I hope to live many more years.
                        • March 14, 2016 at 4:06 pm
                        liberty04281
                        Participant
                          Yes, it is exactly as you said. When I was first diagnosed it was stage 1, than I progressed to stage 3, than to stage 4. It was six years ago when I first diagnosed with melanoma. I am still living happy and healthy life, without pain, and working full time. I had a few surgeries and last year immunotherapy, treatment with Yervoy. I hope to live many more years.
                        • March 14, 2016 at 3:31 am
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          You can't know exactly, because it is possible to have a stage 1 or 2  primary and say that was your original diagnosis, then a SNB puts you at stage 3.  So those fields are open to interpretation because the staging may be upgraded at the time of diagnosis as well as at a later date.  And each person might enter that differently.  Reading that data and trying to look at it statistically or prognostically is unwise as each persons melanoma is unique.

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