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Skin Cancer Awareness Month: What Can Happen If Your Skin Cancer Goes Untreated? What to Expect with Untreated Skin CancerSkin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. With treatment, most skin cancer is not life-threatening. But what can happen if skin cancer is left untreated? Here's what you need to know. Basal Cell CarcinomaBasal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. In fact, there are almost 4 million cases diagnosed in the U.S. annually. Though it is a slow-growing cancer, that doesn't mean it can go untreated. Basal cell carcinoma is one of the least dangerous types of skin cancer because of its slow growth rate and the very rare chance that it will spread to other organs. This also means there is ample time to invest in effective skin cancer treatment. If left untreated, however, basal cell carcinoma will undoubtedly cause some serious damage. For one, untreated basal cell carcinoma can cause ulcers. In addition, it may result in permanent disfigurement. If it occurs on the face, which it often does, you could be facing reconstructive surgery or permanent facial disfigurement by leaving this type of skin cancer untreated. Squamous Cell CarcinomaSquamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma can be caused by over-exposure to UV radiation and, like basal cell carcinoma, most frequently occurs in sun-damaged areas of the body. It is potentially life-threatening if left untreated, particularly in areas like the face, lips, ears, nose, or neck. This is because as squamous cell carcinoma grows, it has the ability to spread into the lymph nodes and internal organs. Not only that, but squamous cell carcinomas are often painful to the touch. If left untreated, patients may be in significant pain for an extended period of time. In addition, waiting to receive treatment may result in more serious surgery being needed. If a large tumor develops, it's likely that reconstructive surgery will be necessary once the cancerous tissue is excised. On the face and neck, this may mean a patient never looks the same or has the same function in those areas again. MelanomaMelanoma is less common than basal and squamous cell carcinoma, but it is far more dangerous. The biggest reason for this is its ability to spread rapidly to other organs if not treated early. Melanoma can put a patient's life at risk in as little as six weeks if left to grow untreated. When melanoma spreads to other areas of the body, it can become much more difficult to treat. A small melanoma tumor, if caught early on, can be treated with procedures like excision surgery or Mohs micrographic surgery. If left untreated, melanoma can quickly spread to internal organs and require treatments like chemotherapy. At an advanced stage, however, even chemotherapy may not be able to successfully treat this type of skin cancer. Skin cancer treatment saves lives, and truthfully, no skin cancer should be left untreated. Skin cancer screenings are an excellent tool to help detect skin cancer early on so patients can get effective treatment. If you have questions or want to set up a skin cancer screening, contact SE Dermatology Specialists today. What to Know About Untreated Skin CancerThe Dangers of Untreated Skin CancerSkin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the world. Brought on typically by overexposure of UV rays (via the sun or tanning beds), skin cancer can be prevented and oftentimes easily treated. However, if left untreated, no matter which type of skin cancer you have, it will undoubtedly cause severe health complications and may even lead to death. Let’s break it down a bit and walk you through what would happen if skin cancer were left untreated. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)BCC is the number one most common type of skin cancer. It is also the least life-threatening. The thing about BCC is that it is a slow-growing cancer. Many patients believe that since it is slow-growing, they can wait to have it treated. This is NOT the case. Most doctors advise that BCC be treated immediately. BCC can be tricky in that while on the surface it may seem as if there is little to no change in growth. However, the root of the cancer found beneath the skin may have spread far beyond originally anticipated. The longer you wait to treat BCC, the larger it grows, which means the treatment area can be quite large. This could leave behind large scarring or even cause disfigurement leading to functionality issues. BCC may not exactly lead to death, but the consequences of putting off treatment may be more than you bargained for. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)Second only to BCC, SCC is also one of the most common types of skin cancers. This one, however, has a higher mortality rate than BCC, mostly because patients choose to wait to have it treated. Unlike BCC, SCC can spread much farther without patients knowing. If left untreated, SCC will metastasize, meaning it will grow or spread, affecting the lymph nodes, organs, and possibly bones. SCC is typically most fatal to older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems, but this does not mean that healthy individuals are completely safe. Anyone who waits to have SCC treated puts themselves at a higher risk of dying from this type of cancer. MelanomaEveryone knows melanoma as the deadliest type of skin cancer, and they are correct. Melanoma is an aggressive cancer that spreads rapidly which is why early detection and immediate treatment is absolutely crucial. When melanoma is detected early, it gives the patients a good chance of being cured. Early detection allows doctors to treat the cancer before it metastasizes. If, however, the patient has waited for treatment and the melanoma has indeed metastasized, the chances of being successfully treated dramatically decrease. Regardless of the type of skin cancer you may have, it is imperative that you be treated immediately. Putting off treatment is like playing with a ticking time bomb and is essentially a gamble with your life. Immediate treatment is very important, but prevention and regular screening is also crucial. Learn how to best protect your skin and why regular screening matters. If you are in the Cincinnati, Ohio area and need regular skin cancer screening or require treatment, our experts at The Dermatology Group are ready to give you the advice, resources, and treatment you need. Give us a call today! Can you have basal cell carcinoma for years?While it is the least risky type of skin cancer, it can spread so should be treated early. Basal cell carcinoma usually grows very slowly and often doesn't show up for many years after intense or long-term exposure to the sun. You can get it at a younger age if you're exposed to a lot of sun or use tanning beds.
Do basal cell carcinomas need to be removed?Basal cell carcinoma is most often treated with surgery to remove all of the cancer and some of the healthy tissue around it. Options might include: Surgical excision.
How long can you live with skin cancer untreated?Melanoma. Melanoma is less common than basal and squamous cell carcinoma, but it is far more dangerous. The biggest reason for this is its ability to spread rapidly to other organs if not treated early. Melanoma can put a patient's life at risk in as little as six weeks if left to grow untreated.
How long can you wait to have basal cell carcinoma removed?BCC's are slow to move and most of my patients have had them from 2 months to 5 years so waiting 1-3 months should be ok. It also depends on the location and if its near a vital structure like the eye or lips, I would remove it quickly.
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What happens if basal cell carcinoma is left untreated
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