Stage I
The cancer only affects parts of the skin, which has red, dry, scaly patches, but no tumors. The lymph nodes are not larger than normal.
Stage II
Either of the following may be true:
1. The skin has red, dry, scaly patches, but no tumors. Lymph nodes are larger than normal, but do not contain cancer cells.
2. There are tumors on the skin. The lymph nodes are either normal or are larger than normal, but do not contain cancer cells.
Stage III
Nearly all of the skin is red, dry, and scaly. The lymph nodes are either normal or are larger than normal, but do not contain cancer cells.
Stage IV
The skin is involved, in addition to either of the following:
1. Cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes.
2. Cancer has spread to other organs, such as the liver or lung.
Recurrent
Recurrent disease means that the cancer has come back after it has been treated. It may come back where it started or in another part of the body.