Which statement describes metastatic melanoma?

• A. It cannot be surgically removed
• B. It spreads to distant sites
• C. It is always in situ
• D. It remains localized

Answer: (B)

Metastasis means cancer cells have spread beyond the original tumor to distant sites in the body, often via blood or lymphatic routes. For melanoma, once cells have metastasized, the disease is considered stage IV and can involve organs like the liver, brain, lungs, or bones, as well as distant lymph nodes.

This is why describing metastatic melanoma as spreading to distant sites is the best answer: it captures the defining behavior of metastasis. Melanoma in situ is noninvasive and localized to the epidermis, so saying it’s always in situ is incorrect. If it remained localized, that would not reflect metastasis. And while some metastatic lesions can be surgically removed in select cases, metastasis does not inherently imply it cannot be surgically addressed, so that statement isn’t the best description of metastatic disease.