Melanoma 5-year survival by tumor thickness

• spread to lymph nodes requires removal of regional lymph nodes
• all patients with invasive melanoma are followed carefully for many years for evidence of systemic involvement
• systemic involvement is usually an indication for chemotherapy, although response rates are low

  Melanoma 5-year survival by stage

  Stage	Description	5-year survival
  I	Local (skin)	94%
  II	Regional lymph nodes	60%
  III	Distant metastases	16%