Can Basal Cell Carcinoma Become Squamous

One type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma begins in the basal cells, which make skin cells that continuously push older cells toward the surface. As new cells move upward, they become flattened squamous cells, where a skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma can occur.

Which is worse basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma?

Though not as common as basal cell (about one million new cases a year), squamous cell is more serious because it is likely to spread (metastasize). Treated early, the cure rate is over 90%, but metastases occur in 1%–5% of cases. After it has metastasized, it’s very difficult to treat.

Which grows faster basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma?

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Growth Rate: Squamous cell cancers, while still slow-growing, are known to grow more rapidly than Basal cell cancers.