Early on, there may be no noticeable symptoms that melanoma has spread to the liver. When symptoms do show up, they commonly include an enlarged, hard, or tender liver and pain in the upper right area of your abdomen, just below your ribs.

What does melanoma feel like when it spreads?

Early on, there may be no noticeable symptoms that melanoma has spread to the liver. When symptoms do show up, they commonly include an enlarged, hard, or tender liver and pain in the upper right area of your abdomen, just below your ribs.

Where does melanoma spread to first?

Doctors have known for decades that melanoma and many other cancer types tend to spread first into nearby lymph nodes before entering the blood and traveling to distant parts of the body. But the implications of this detour through the lymph nodes have remained unclear.

What does melanoma do when it spreads?

Melanoma can spread to parts of your body far away from where the cancer started. This is called advanced, metastatic, or stage IV melanoma. It can move to your lungs, liver, brain, bones, digestive system, and lymph nodes.

Do you feel unwell with melanoma?

General symptoms hard or swollen lymph nodes. hard lump on your skin. unexplained pain. feeling very tired or unwell.

Is there a Stage 5 melanoma?

The most common staging system for melanoma skin cancer is the TNM system. For melanoma skin cancer there are 5 stages – stage 0 followed by stages 1 to 4. Often the stages 1 to 4 are written as the Roman numerals I, II, III and IV. Generally, the higher the stage number, the more the cancer has spread.

What are the symptoms of metastatic melanoma?

Metastatic melanoma most often spreads to the lymph nodes, brain, bones, liver or lungs, and the additional symptoms experienced at this late stage will depend on where the melanoma has spread. For example: Lungs – A persistent cough or shortness of breath. Brain – Headaches or seizures.

What are the symptoms of melanoma spreading to the brain?

Just like the liver, not everyone will notice symptoms of melanoma spreading to the brain. But when symptoms do show up, it’s usually in the form of headaches, problems with eyesight, paralysis on one side of the body, or seizures. “If someone simply has a headache, that doesn’t mean they have advanced stage melanoma,” Dr. Yushak says.

Where does metastatic melanoma spread to?

Metastatic melanoma most often spreads to the lymph nodes, brain, bones, liver or lungs, and the additional symptoms experienced at this late stage will depend on where the melanoma has spread.

Is melanoma painful to the touch?

If the cancer has made its way to the lymph nodes, it usually won’t be painful, but they’ll feel swollen or even hard to the touch, Dr. Zaba says. Early on, there may be no noticeable symptoms that melanoma has spread to the liver.