Boise, ID
A 25-year-old male asked:
How come skin cancer doesn't spread as easily to other organs as compared to other cancers?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Andrew Doeanswered
Radiology - Interventional 21 years experience
It can: It depends on the type. Melanoma spreads to many other sites, and can do so very quickly. Basal cell and others tend to spread slowly. Regardless, cancer of any type, should be monitored closely, and treated promptly.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Liawaty Hoanswered
Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
Depth of invasion: Unlike other skin cancers such as basal cell or squamous cell, a melanoma can spread to many organ quite easily
it has something to do with how easy the cancer cells go to lymphatic organs ( lymph gland) or blood vessels to spread and how fast the cancer grows. The depth of penetration/invasion of the cancer is very important for the skin cancer to spread.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Travis Kidneranswered
Surgical Oncology 18 years experience
It can: Melanoma can travel to any organ in the body.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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