What is the difference between basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma?

Answer 1

A basal cell carcinoma does not spread. It stays where it is, sometimes comes back when removed, and if you are diagnosed with one you have 30% chances of getting another one in 3 years, 50% in 5 years. If you let it go untreated, it will create a sore, but it is not life-threatening. If it is caught early enough and is still superficial, you can get a prescription for a cream that eats up the cancerous cells, or get surgery to remove it. Squamous cell carcinomas can spread, and, although it is not nearly as life-threatening as melanoma, you still need to watch it and get it surgically removed. It could get larger and require a skin graft.

Answer 2

Carcinoma is a type of skin cancer. The two types, basal cell and squamous cell, refer to the layer of the skin where the cancer resides. In basal cell cancer, the cancer is found in the epidermis. In squamous cell cancer, the cancer is found in the subcutaneous layer of the skin.

Answer 3

Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor of epidermal keratinocytes that invades the dermis, usually occurring in sun-exposed areas. Local destruction may be extensive, and metastases occur in advanced stages. Diagnosis is by biopsy. Treatment depends on the tumor's characteristics and may involve curettage and electrodesiccation, surgical excision, cryosurgery, or, occasionally, radiation therapy.

Squamous cell cancer spreads faster than basal cell cancer, but still may be relatively slow-growing. It can spread (metastasize) to other locations, including internal organs.

Basal cell carcinoma is a superficial slowly growing papule or nodule that derives from epidermal basal cells. Metastasis is rare, but local growth can be highly destructive. Diagnosis is by biopsy. Treatment depends on the tumor's characteristics and may involve curettage and electrodesiccation, surgical excision, cryosurgery, or, occasionally, radiation therapy.

Basal cell carcinoma starts in the top layer of the skin called the epidermis. It grows slowly and is painless. A new skin growth that bleeds easily or does not heal well may suggest basal cell carcinoma. The majority of these cancers occur on areas of skin that are regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation. They may also appear on the scalp. Basal cell skin cancer used to be more common in people over age 40, but is now often diagnosed in younger people.

Basal cell skin cancer almost never spreads. But, if left untreated, it may grow into surrounding areas and nearby tissues and bone.

Answer 4

I know melanoma is more severe, spreads faster etc.