What is the difference between basal and squamous cancer?

What is the difference between basal and squamous cancer?

Basal cell carcinoma accounts for more than 90 percent of all skin cancers in the United States and is the most common of all cancers. Typically, it is a slow-growing cancer that seldom spreads to other parts of the body. Squamous cell carcinoma also rarely spreads, but does so more often than basal cell carcinoma.

What is worse basal cell or squamous cell cancer?

Though not as common as basal cell (about one million new cases a year), squamous cell is more serious because it is likely to spread (metastasize).

What are the warning signs of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma?

Signs and Symptoms of Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers

• Flat, firm, pale or yellow areas, similar to a scar.
• Raised reddish patches that might be itchy.
• Small, pink or red, translucent, shiny, pearly bumps, which might have blue, brown, or black areas.

Does basal and squamous cell skin cancer spread?

Most basal and squamous cell skin cancers are found and treated at an early stage, when they are likely to be cured, but some can grow into other areas or spread to other parts of the body.

Why is basal and squamous skin cancer so high?

Being older. The risk of getting basal and squamous cell skin cancers rises as people get older. This is probably because of the buildup of sun exposure over time. But these cancers are becoming more common in younger people as well, probably because they are spending more time in the sun with their skin exposed.

What does basal cell carcinoma look like when it starts?

At first, a basal cell carcinoma comes up like a small “pearly” bump that looks like a flesh-colored mole or a pimple that doesn’t go away. Sometimes these growths can look dark. Or you may also see shiny pink or red patches that are slightly scaly. Another symptom to watch out for is a waxy, hard skin growth.

What does squamous cell look like in early stages?

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Early Stages At first, cancer cells appear as flat patches in the skin, often with a rough, scaly, reddish, or brown surface. These abnormal cells slowly grow in sun-exposed areas.

Can stress cause squamous cell carcinoma?

In this study, we demonstrated that chronic stress profoundly accelerates the emergence and development of squamous cell carcinoma and their precursors while suppressing tumor regression in a mouse model.

What are five of the risk factors for basal and squamous cell carcinoma?

Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Risk Factors

• Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.
• Having light-colored skin.
• Being older.
• Being male.
• Exposure to certain chemicals.
• Radiation exposure.
• Previous skin cancer.
• Long-term or severe skin inflammation or injury.

Why do some people get basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is caused by damage and subsequent DNA changes to the basal cells in the outermost layer of skin. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and indoor tanning is the major cause of BCCs and most skin cancers.