Skin Cancer Treatment: Innovations, Effectiveness, and Survival Rates

Mirari Doctor

Skin cancer is a condition where unhealthy and abnormal skin cell growth occurs, usually triggered by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. There are three main types of skin cancer: Basal cell carcinomaSquamous cell carcinomaMelanomaWhile basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas rarely spread to other parts of the body, melanoma is the most dangerous form as it can be fatal if not caught and treated early. So can skin cancer kill you? Let's take a closer look. How Dangerous Is Skin Cancer? Most cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have a good prognosis with proper treatment. The 5-year survival rate for BCC is above 99%, while SCC has a 5-year survival rate of 95-99%. However, if left untreated, these types of skin cancers can grow large enough to penetrate deeper tissue layers and damage nerves or blood vessels. Though rare, they can potentially spread to other organs in late stages. On the other hand, melanoma develops from melanocytes - the pigment-producing cells. While it only accounts for about 1% of skin cancer cases, melanoma causes a majority of skin cancer deaths. The earlier melanoma is diagnosed and treated, the better one's chances of survival: Stage 0-I melanoma: Over 95% 5-year survival rateStage II-III melanoma: 63% - 70% 5-year survival rateStage IV melanoma: 20% 5-year survival rateSo in summary, while basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma unlikely to result in death, advanced melanoma can be fatal if it spreads to other organs. Catching and removing suspicious moles early is key. Read more: https://miraridoctor.com/blog/skin-cancer-treatment/