How fast does squamous cell skin cancer spread

Chemotherapy for Metastatic Melanoma. Target Therapy. Melanoma and Skin Cancer Clinical Trials. Patient Support Resources. Squamous Cell Skin Carcinoma. Conditions Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin. What is Squamous Cell Cancer? There are 5 Stages of Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Stage 0 is Carcinoma in situ This stage is not considered invasive cancer as the abnormal cells are only in the upper layer of the skin, the epidermis.

Stage 1 and 2 This stage is determined by how big the cancer is and if there is high-risk features of the tumor. Stage 3 This stage has spread to areas below the skin, such as into lymph nodes or other local structures like muscle, bone or cartilage Stage 4 This stage has spread to distant sites.

Most squamous cell cancer of the skin present as Stage 0 or 1. Squamous cell cancers of the skin can commonly present itself as: Scaly red patches Open sores Elevated growths with a central depression Warts They may crust or bleed. SCCs may occur on all areas of the body including the mucous membranes and genitals, but are most common in areas frequently exposed to the sun: Ears Lower lip Face Bald scalp Neck Hands Arms Legs Often the skin in these areas also reveals telltale signs of sun damage, such as wrinkling, changes in pigmentation, and loss of elasticity, especially as the patient gets older.

The immune system has checkpoints that keep it from going out of control. Cancer cells can keep these checkpoints active, allowing the cancer to grow. This is the first immunotherapy approved for those who have an SCC that has advanced to a point that it would otherwise be very challenging to treat. Hanke: There are a number of treatments for small and early SCCs, including freezing, scraping or excisional surgery.

For other SCCs, your doctor may recommend Mohs surgery , which is done in stages and looks at all the edges of the tissue to make sure all the cancerous cells are removed. This lab work is done while the patient waits. Ask your doctor what kind you will need. Each type has pros and cons. The choice of which type to use depends on your own case. In rare cases basal and squamous cell skin cancer can spread to the nearby lymph nodes bean-size sacs of immune system cells.

Ask your doctor if your lymph nodes will be tested. Basal and squamous cell cancers don't often spread to other parts of the body. But if your doctor thinks your skin cancer might spread, you might need imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scans.

If you have skin cancer, the doctor will want to find out how far it has spread. This is called staging. Basal and squamous cell skin cancers don't spread as often as some other types of cancer, so the exact stage might not be too important. Still, your doctor might want to find out the stage of your cancer to help decide what type of treatment is best for you.

The stage describes the growth or spread of the cancer through the skin. It also tells if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body that are close by or farther away.

Your cancer can be stage 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. The lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, like stage 4, means a more serious cancer that has spread beyond the skin. Be sure to ask the doctor about the cancer stage and what it means for you. There are many ways to treat skin cancer. The main types of treatment are:. Most basal cell and squamous cell cancers can be cured with surgery or other types of treatments that affect only the spot on the skin.

Surgery is the main type of treatment for most skin cancers. There are different kinds of surgery. Ask your doctor what kind of surgery you will have and what to expect.

Any type of surgery can have risks and side effects. Early surgical intervention is highly recommended. Phone: Get Directions. Our Office. Office Hours: Monday — Friday a. Book An Appointment.