How good are the chances of cure for white skin cancer

The chances of cure are good compared to other malignant cancers. As a rule, white skin cancer does not spread very quickly, which is why treatment in the early stages is possible. With the help of surgery and follow-up treatment, the main findings can be well controlled.

Within the first two years, however, relapses and small skin recurrences are very common. Therefore, check-ups are recommended every three to six months. Most relapses occur within the first two years in particular. However, aftercare is carried out over a period of 5 years. A complete cure is not possible in very many cases, but the control of the tumor and the associated probability of life is very good.

How fast does white skin cancer grow?

The different forms of white skin cancer are associated with different growth rates. The basal cell carcinoma is not only less aggressive than squamous cell carcinoma in terms of spread and metastasis, but also in terms of growth rate. From its first appearance it usually develops over years.

It grows slowly but steadily and needs many years for severe local damage or small metastases. Nevertheless, early treatment is advisable in order to keep the surgical and treatment area as small as possible. Squamous cell carcinoma, also known as spinalioma, grows much faster.

It can cause noticeable and large local changes after only a few months or a year. A metastasis and further spread in the body, however, occurs very slowly. Only late does the squamous cell carcinoma spread locally to the lymphatic system and lymph nodes. Metastases to distant organs occur only rarely and generally much later, often years later.

Metastases in white skin cancer

Metastases are relatively rare in white skin cancer. In contrast to black skin cancer, white skin cancer is also significantly less dangerous. Metastases describe metastases in distant organs, foreign tissue or lymph nodes.

In tumors that grow in depth, metastasis is very likely in the long term. Often, the cancer cells attack nearby lymph nodes and can spread to distant regions of the body via the bloodstream. Statistically, the probability of metastasis is much higher for tumors larger than 2 cm than for smaller tumors.

Likewise, squamous cell carcinoma spreads much more frequently than basal cell carcinoma. If metastasis is already present, the long-term prognosis is significantly worse. Even after treatment and removal, the probability of further, previously unnoticed metastases is extremely high. Thus, the overall probability of cure of the cancer is also reduced.