What Are the Survival Rates for People With Melanoma?

When found early and treated properly, melanoma is highly curable. These are the facts according to 2006 statistics from the American Cancer Society.

• The 5-year survival rate for all stages combined is 92%. The 10-year rate is 89%.

•  When the cancer is localized, meaning it hasn’t spread, the 5-year survival rate is 98%. About 83% of cancers are found at a localized stage.

• If the cancer has regionalized spread, meaning it has spread to nearby areas, the 5-year survival rate is 64%.

• If the cancer has distant spread, meaning it has spread far from the original site, the 5-year survival rate is 16%.

• In general, survival declines with age, especially after age 70.

• Survival tends to be shorter if the melanoma occurs on a foot, palm, or nail bed. People who have HIV infection and melanoma are also at higher risk of dying from melanoma.

• Although African-Americans are less likely to get melanoma than whites, their survival is shorter when they do get it.

• Stage 0. The 5-year survival rate is 97%.

• Stage I. The 5-year survival rate is between 90% and 95%. The 10-year survival rate is around 80%.

• Stage IIA. The 5-year survival rate is 78%. The 10-year survival rate is around 64%.

• Stage IIB. The 5-year survival rate is 63% to 67%. The 10-year survival rate is between 51% and 54%.

• Stage IIC. The 5-year survival rate is around 45%. The 10-year survival rate is 32%.

• Stage IIIA. The 5-year survival rate is between 63% and 70%. The 10-year survival rate is 57% to 63%.

• Stage IIIB. The 5-year survival rate is between 46% and 53%. The 10-year survival rate is around 38%.

• Stage IIIC. The 5-year survival rate is around 28%. The 10-year survival rate is between 15% and 25%.

• Stage IV. The 5-year survival rate is about 18%. The 10-year survival rate is 14%.

Remember, these statistics are based on large groups of people and cannot be used to predict what will happen to a certain patient. No 2 people are exactly alike, and treatment and responses to treatment vary.