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. 2009 Nov 16;27(36):6199–6206. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2009.23.4799

Table 2.

Anatomic Stage Groupings for Cutaneous Melanoma

Clinical Staging*
Pathologic Staging
T N M T N M
0 Tis N0 M0 0 Tis N0 M0
IA T1a N0 M0 IA T1a N0 M0
IB T1b N0 M0 IB T1b N0 M0
T2a N0 M0 T2a N0 M0
IIA T2b N0 M0 IIA T2b N0 M0
T3a N0 M0 T3a N0 M0
IIB T3b N0 M0 IIB T3b N0 M0
T4a N0 M0 T4a N0 M0
IIC T4b N0 M0 IIC T4b N0 M0
III Any T N > N0 M0 IIIA T1-4a N1a M0
T1-4a N2a M0
IIIB T1-4b N1a M0
T1-4b N2a M0
T1-4a N1b M0
T1-4a N2b M0
T1-4a N2c M0
IIIC T1-4b N1b M0
T1-4b N2b M0
T1-4b N2c M0
Any T N3 M0
IV Any T Any N M1 IV Any T Any N M1
*

Clinical staging includes microstaging of the primary melanoma and clinical/radiologic evaluation for metastases. By convention, it should be used after complete excision of the primary melanoma with clinical assessment for regional and distant metastases.

Pathologic staging includes microstaging of the primary melanoma and pathologic information about the regional lymph nodes after partial (ie, sentinel node biopsy) or complete lymphadenectomy. Pathologic stage 0 or stage IA patients are the exception; they do not require pathologic evaluation of their lymph nodes.