The punch in of skin cancer matters, though.
Some, especially melanoma, are more aggressive than others.
Data to determine survival rates comes from the SEER database, which is maintained by the National Cancer Institute.
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It is estimated that one in five Americans will get skin cancer at some point in their life.
More than 4 million cases are diagnosed every year in the United States.
Basal cells are one of the three types of cells found in the top layer of the skin.
This triggers abnormal and uncontrollable growth of the basal cells.
Although BCC is relatively slow-growing and doesnt usually spread to surrounding areas, it can metastasize if left untreated.
How Often Does BCC Spread?
Metastasis is rare with BCC, occurring in between 0.0028 and 0.55% of all cases.
If BCC remains localized, there is a five-year survival rate of 100%.
Squamous cells are found near the surface of the skin.
This can occur due to heavy exposure to the sun.
Although SCC is relatively slow-growing, it is slightly more likely to metastasize than BCC.
How Often Does SCC Spread?
Studies suggest that around 1.4% of people with SCC will experience metastasis.
As with SCC, the five-year survival rate is highhovering around 99%in the absence of metastasis.
With metastasis, the three-year survival is roughly 29% in women and 46% in men.
Melanoma
Melanomais a cancer that begins in skin cells called melanocytes, which give skin color.
Melanoma is a serious form of cancer and is characterized by its aggressiveness.
One way of identifying melanoma is through the “ugly duckling” sign.
About 2,000 cases of MCC are diagnosed in the United States each year.
MCC tumors can appear on areas of the skin exposed to the sun, but not in all instances.
They can appear as pimple-like lumps and can be skin-colored, purple, red, or bluish-red.
Their rapid growth is often what draws attention to them.
Risk factors for MCC include:
How Often Does MCC Spread?
Treatment options for MCC vary based on the stage of the disease and how healthy a patient is overall.
Treatment options include:
A Word From Verywell
A diagnosis of skin cancer can be overwhelming.
Early diagnosis and preventative measures like practicing sun safety can improve outcomes and odds of survival.
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Skin Cancer Foundation.Squamous cell carcinoma.
Skin Cancer Foundation.How serious is a squamous cell carcinoma?
Ames FC, Hickey RC.Metastasis from squamous cell skin cancer of the extremities.Southern Medical Journal.
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American Cancer Society.What is melanoma skin cancer?
American Cancer Society.Risk factors for melanoma skin cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: melanoma of the skin.
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for merkel cell carcinoma.
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