Ailments and Situations - Skin Cancer - What to Expect

 

What to Expect:

 
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

This form usually invades and destroys adjacent tissue but does not often metastasize. However, if the tumour is near the eyes, mouth, bone, or brain, serious consequences can occur as a result of invasion. Early treatment can limit the extent of damage that may occur.

 
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

This form usually only affects adjacent tissue, but has the potential to metastasize and can be fatal.

 
Melanoma

The course of this disease is variable, and is dependent upon the strength of the body's immune system. This form of skin cancer readily metastasizes. The less it invades the skin, the better the cure rate. If melanoma penetrates into deeper layers, it is more likely to spread via lymph nodes and blood vessels, causing death within a few months to a few years.

 
Kaposi's Sarcoma

The first type tends to be limited to the skin and grows very slowly. Metastasis is rare. The second type grows much more quickly and tends to involve internal organs as well.