Non-melanoma skin cancer is highly treatable, with a five-year survival rate exceeding 95% in most cases, often due to the ease of removal via biopsy.

Early detection and treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) further improves this prognosis, boasting a five-year survival rate of approximately 99%.

However, the Survival Rate of Squamous Cell Carcinoma significantly declines if the cancer spreads beyond the initial site, such as to the lymph nodes.

Factors That Influence Survival Rates

Factors affecting the Survival Rate of Squamous Cell Carcinoma include:

• Tumor size: Larger tumors mean that the disease was detected at a later stage.
• Depth of invasion: The depth to which the tumor growth extends into the surrounding tissues is a more critical factor.
• Grade of tumor differentiation: Tumors in which the tumor is not well differentiated have poorer survival rates.
• Neuroinvasion: The tumor has reached the adjacent nerves, which greatly affects the prognosis.
• TNM stage: Tumor size (T), lymph node involvement (N), and the presence of metastases (M).
• Tumor location: For example, the head and neck region is associated with a higher risk of spread due to the rich blood supply in these areas. (Chen, 1996)
• Extremities: Tumors in the hands and feet are usually more aggressive.
• Immune status of the patient: Individuals with weak immune systems have poorer survival rates.
• Age: Older patients have lower chances of survival due to age-related diseases.

Lifestyle factors: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are associated with lower survival rates.

Importance of Early Detection and Treatment

The importance of early detection and treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma is due to the following factors:

• Increasing the chances of survival and recovery from the disease: The earlier the disease is detected, the less widespread it is and the easier it is to get rid of it permanently using known treatment methods such as surgery and local treatment.
• Less invasive treatment: Early detection of squamous cell carcinoma ensures less invasive treatment, whether by simple surgical excision or cryotherapy, which are treatments that are less risky than traditional treatments in more advanced cases and do not leave scars.

• Reduced risk of disease spread: Early detection and treatment ensures that the lesion does not spread to other areas of the body, which increases the chances of survival and recovery.
• Improving quality of life: Early detection and treatment can reduce the pain the patient is exposed to, reduce the deformities that the disease can cause, and improve the psychological state. (American Cancer Society, n.d.)

Long-Term Outlook for Patients

The long-term outlook for patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is generally very good when detected early, with a 5-year survival rate often reaching 99%; however, if the cancer has spread beyond the primary site, the survival rate drops dramatically, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Early detection and proper treatment ensure a long-term survival rate of squamous cell carcinoma of 99% over the next 5 years, taking into account the following:

• Early detection: Early detection ensures easy elimination and treatment of the disease and a near-perfect 5-year survival rate.
• Stage-based prognosis: Survival rates drop dramatically once squamous cell carcinoma has spread to the lymph nodes or distant organs.
• Treatment: Treatment options include surgical removal, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these methods if necessary.

Factors that affect long-term survival rate of squamous cell carcinoma include:

• Tumor location: Some areas such as the head and neck may have a more complex treatment path and survival rates may be as low as 50-80%.
• Tumor stage: The extent of the cancer at diagnosis is the most important factor in determining survival rates.
• Patient health: General health status and the presence of other medical conditions can also affect treatment options and survival.
• Regular care and follow-up: Even after treatment, regular monitoring is crucial to detect any recurrence of the disease.

References

1. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Retrieved from Treating Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin
2. Chen, G. S. (1996). PubMed. Retrieved from A study on survival rates of oral squamous cell carcinoma