Learn about stage 0 melanoma
What is stage 0 melanoma? In stage 0, cancer is in the thin outer layer of the skin (epidermis). It has not spread to the next layer of skin (dermis) or to other parts of the body. The good news is: Stage 0 melanoma is highly curable, and has a very low chance of spreading or coming back.
How is stage 0 melanoma treated? Doctors treat stage 0 melanoma with surgery to remove the cancer. Usually this is a procedure called a wide local excision. This is when a larger oval-shaped piece of tissue is removed from the skin to remove any cancer cells left after the biopsy. Stage 0 melanoma is highly curable — as long as the doctors are sure they removed enough surrounding skin, this is all the treatment you will typically need.
What is the follow-up care for stage 0 melanoma? With stage 0 melanoma, your outlook is usually very good! It is unlikely that the cancer will return or spread to other parts of your body. After treatment, doctors recommend that you:
Do monthly self skin checks.
Follow your dermatologist’s or surgeon’s recommendation for how often you should get a full-body skin exam — usually this will be once a year.
Use sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher and broad spectrum — apply it 15 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours and after sweating or swimming.
Wear clothes to protect your skin — wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
Seek shade when the sun is strongest , between 10 am and 4 pm.
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