Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) doesn't usually spread to other parts of the body, but it is more likely than BCC to spread. If left untreated, SCC can grow deeper into the skin. Sometimes it can spread to nearby lymph nodes. In rare cases, it can spread to bone, the lungs or other organs.
But what happens when an SCC does spread? Dr. Hanke: The first place SCCs metastasize to is the regional lymph nodes. So if you have a squamous cell carcinoma on your cheek, for example, it would metastasize to the nodes in the neck.
Most patients with metastatic bone disease survive for 6-48 months.
Metastasis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is rare. However, certain tumor and patient characteristics increase the risk of metastasis. Prior studies have demonstrated metastasis rates of 3-9%, occurring, on average, one to two years after initial diagnosis [6].
At Stage 3, squamous cell carcinoma has spread into the patient's lymph nodes but has not reached any other organs or tissues. At Stage 4, which is the most advanced stage, squamous cell carcinoma has spread to at least one distant organ (for example, the brain, the lungs or another area of the skin).
Death from basal and squamous cell skin cancers is uncommon. It's thought that about 2,000 people in the US die each year from these cancers, and that this rate has been dropping in recent years.
With rare exceptions, cancer that has spread to the bones can't be cured. Treatments can help reduce pain and other symptoms of bone metastases.
Pulmonary metastases are the most frequent in SCC, accounting for 66% of distant metastases. It may be difficult to distinguish pulmonary metastasis from a new primary tumor, particularly if solitary. Other metastatic sites include bone (22%), liver (10%), skin, mediastinum and bone marrow.
What does SCC look like? SCCs can appear as scaly red patches, open sores, rough, thickened or wart-like skin, or raised growths with a central depression. At times, SCCs may crust over, itch or bleed.
Untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can destroy nearby healthy tissue, spread to the lymph nodes or other organs, and may be fatal, although this is uncommon. The risk of aggressive squamous cell carcinoma of the skin may be increased in cases where the cancer: Is particularly large or deep.
Although squamous cell carcinoma can be more aggressive than basal cell cancer, the risk of this type of cancer spreading is low—as long as the cancer is treated early, Dr. Leffell says. He notes that the lesions must be treated with respect because they may grow rapidly and invade deeply.
If left untreated, squamous cell carcinoma can spread to nearby lymph nodes, bones or distant organs (such as the lungs or liver). Normal squamous tissue usually appears flat. When this tissue develops cancer it can appear as round masses that are can be flat, raised, or ulcerated.
Patients with a single metastasis had a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 35% (95% CI 16–54%) in contrast to patients with multiple metastases with a 5-year OS of 4% (95% CI 2–9%).
The most common sign of cancer metastasis to bone is a sudden, new pain, which can be similar to the discomfort caused by arthritis or a muscle strain. The pain may come and go at first, then gradually become constant, even during rest. As cancer progresses, frequent fractures (broken bones) may occur.
Localized bone cancer means the cancer is only in the bone where it started and has not spread to other parts of the body. It includes stages 1, 2 and 3. Metastatic bone cancer means the cancer has spread to another part of the body, such as the lungs. This is stage 4.
The most common bone cancer symptom is pain, though sometimes these tumors are painless. The pain may be mild or severe. Many people describe it as throbbing, aching or stabbing. Some people develop a lump in the area that may be hard or soft to the touch.
Bone cancers that contain many different cell types (like healthy tissue does) are considered low grade and generally are slow to grow and spread.
Bone pain. Pain caused by bone cancer usually begins with a feeling of tenderness in the affected bone. This gradually progresses to a persistent ache or ache that comes and goes, which continues at night and when resting.
Tumour markers
If you have osteosarcoma, your doctor will measure your ALP level (alkaline phosphatase). This chemical is found in your blood and is a measure of bone activity. If you have a bone cancer, the levels of bone cell activity in the affected bone may be higher than normal.
They are of concern because of the similarity to squamous cell cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the three most common types of skin cancer. Basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma. Squamous cell cancers can metastasize (spread) and should be removed surgically as soon as they are diagnosed.
For a patient with stage IV cancer, age must also be considered to prognose survival. For a patient who is 67 years or older, the expected median survival is a little more than 1 year. If this patient were younger than 67 years, then the expected median survival would be about 2 years.