Squamous cell carcinoma rarely metastasizes (spreads to other areas of the body), and when spreading does occur, it typically happens slowly. Indeed, most squamous cell carcinoma cases are diagnosed before the cancer has progressed beyond the upper layer of skin.
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].
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.
Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma is often referred to as a neck cancer because it tends to travel to the lymph nodes in the neck and around the collarbone. Because of this, signs of metastasis may include a painful or tender lump in the neck or a sore throat that doesn't improve or go away.
Although rare, research describes SCC in MU as more aggressive than other skin cancers. It has a prevalence of 1–2% in burn scars but a metastatic rate of 27%, and once it has spread to regional lymph nodes, mortality is predicted within 2–3 years.
In general, the squamous cell carcinoma survival rate is very high—when detected early, the five-year survival rate is 99 percent. Even if squamous cell carcinoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes, the cancer may be effectively treated through a combination of surgery and radiation treatment.
Most (95% to 98%) of squamous cell carcinomas can be cured if they are treated early. Once squamous cell carcinoma has spread beyond the skin, though, less than half of people live five years, even with aggressive treatment.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is usually not life-threatening, though it can be aggressive. Untreated, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can grow large or spread to other parts of your body, causing serious complications.
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.
Treatment should happen as soon as possible after diagnosis, since more advanced SCCs of the skin are more difficult to treat and can become dangerous, spreading to local lymph nodes, distant tissues and organs.
It is a rapidly growing tumor which tends to appear suddenly and may reach a considerable size. This tumor is often dome-shaped with a central area resembling a crater which is filled with a keratin plug.
Yes, squamous cell carcinoma can make you feel tired. It can make a person feel weak and exhausted. During the treatment procedures of squamous cell carcinoma, the patient tends to feel more tired. These types of fatigue that are related to cancer are known as cancer-related fatigue (CRF).
Symptoms of stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma usually begin with some kind of skin lesion or growth. Often, the tumors of squamous cell carcinoma look like a scaly red patch of skin that won't heal. These tumors are often crusty and raised, and they may cause sores or ulcers that last for several weeks.
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.
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.
The most common sites are the lung (21%), bone (18%), central nervous system (6%) and liver (4%). Distant metastasis is generally associated with a poor prognosis with a 3-year disease-free survival rate in adult transplant patients of 56% (3).
In general, the squamous cell carcinoma survival rate is very high—when detected early, the five-year survival rate is 99 percent. Even if squamous cell carcinoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes, the cancer may be effectively treated through a combination of surgery and radiation treatment.
“Aggressive SCC” or “high-risk SCC” is cancer that is more likely to recur (return after initial treatment) or metastasize (spread to other parts of the body). Features of high-risk SCC are: Larger than 2 centimeters (cm) Deeper than 2 millimeters (mm)
Conclusions At our institution, patients with stage I, II, or III squamous cell carcinoma had a mean survival of approximately 3 years. Those with stage IV or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma could be stratified by either serum albumin concentration or by age into 2 groups with a median survival of 1 or 2 years.
Stage 2 squamous cell carcinoma
In stage 2, the cancer is larger than 2 centimeters across, and has not spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes, or a tumor of any size with two or more high risk features.
Systemic chemotherapy is not widely used for treating squamous cell carcinoma. In most cases, the cancer cells are confined to one area of skin and, if detected early, can be effectively addressed with localized treatments, such as surgery.
It is estimated that about 2,000 people die from basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer each year. Older adults and people with a suppressed immune system have a higher risk of dying from these types of skin cancer. It is estimated that 7,990 people will die from melanoma in the United States in 2023.
Melanoma skin cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (called distant metastases), such as the lung, the liver or the brain, has a poor prognosis.
Skin cancer history
If you've had SCC, you have a high chance of recurrence. You also have an elevated risk of developing another SCC or basal cell carcinoma (BCC), since sun damage is the primary cause of both forms of skin cancer.