Skin Cancer Survival Rate

Early detection and treatment are pivotal to skin cancer survival. The overall five-year survival rate for Caucasian patients with malignant melanoma was 88% in 1993 (chart). Check this for more details

http://cancerguide.in/skin-cancer

dear nurse,

 you said the survival rate for stage 4 is approx 10%. I had SCC that metastisized to lymph nodes in my neck. It was found at stage 4 and after a radical neck disection and radiation, what is the prognosis now? I am 1 year out. I can't get a straight answer. thanks

On 3/1/2007 Woobie wrote:

dear nurse,

 you said the survival rate for stage 4 is approx 10%. I had SCC that metastisized to lymph nodes in my neck. It was found at stage 4 and after a radical neck disection and radiation, what is the prognosis now? I am 1 year out. I can't get a straight answer. thanks

On 3/6/2007 Oncrx wrote:

 

On 3/1/2007 Woobie wrote:

dear nurse,

 you said the survival rate for stage 4 is approx 10%. I had SCC that metastisized to lymph nodes in my neck. It was found at stage 4 and after a radical neck disection and radiation, what is the prognosis now? I am 1 year out. I can't get a straight answer. thanks

Well, remember we were talking about malignant melanoma.  It has a worse prognosis.  The squamous and basal cell carcinomas are basically cureable with surgery.  Stage 4 melanoma is not.

Even if the squamous cell  has already metastisized into the lymph sysyem and there was no primary cancer found? I read that the survival rate for this is 26 to 56%, and in other places that % is lower or higher depending. I would just like to know what the likelihood of this cancer returning in the next 5 years.  at first diagnosis, i was given very little time, and now they are saying otherwise. SO, If you have understanding in this arena, i would love to know. thanks.

The overall risk of metastasis rate for SCC is in the range of 2-6%; however, this rate may be as high as 47% for certain high-risk tumors. Treating lymph node metastasis is much more extensive and is associated with significant morbidity; however, 5-year survival rates as high as 73% have been achieved with the combination of surgical lymphadenectomy and radiation therapy. Once lung metastasis occurs, the disease is incurable.

On 4/18/2007 Martinsrule wrote:

i have sqUeamis cell cancer they removed 1 from my hand and are sceuled to do 2 on my back 1 on my ear 4 on lips nose and for head. since i understand squeamis cell does't travel to other parts. is it realy nesssecary to have all these removed or wait and maybe they will go away? i had malanoma 12 years ago it was removed and it never returned. is sqUeamis cell life threatening ? i can't get a straight answer. thanks MARTINSRULE

martin, scc can metastisize. mine did to the lymph nodes in my neck. i would not wait to see if they go away....it can be life threatening, all cancer can. angela

On 3/1/2007 Woobie wrote:

dear nurse,

 you said the survival rate for stage 4 is approx 10%. I had SCC that metastisized to lymph nodes in my neck. It was found at stage 4 and after a radical neck disection and radiation, what is the prognosis now? I am 1 year out. I can't get a straight answer. thanks

Woobie,

I understand your frustration.  I was diagnosed with SCC on my shoulder in January, had it surgically removed April 11,07.  I just got the runaround from my family doctor about the pathology on the tumour excised.  The report said " Extensive Lymphatic Invasion" and he would not answer me when I asked what that meant.  Just referred me back to the surgeon to discuss the pathology.

I now have to wait 3 weeks till the surgeon gets back from holidays, unless I can hold of the other surgeon at his office and speed up the process.

I too have some pressing questions to ask regarding survival rate when SCC spreads to the lymph nodes.

Dave