Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common type of skin cancer, but it is also the most treatable. Depending on the stage of the cancer and the patient's overall health, it is possible to live for many years with non-melanoma skin cancer.
The prognosis of non-melanoma skin cancer is often very good, with a five-year survival rate of 95 percent for localized disease. If the cancer has spread beyond the skin but is still localized, the five-year survival rate drops to around 60 percent. If the cancer has spread to distant organs, the five-year survival rate is only 10 to 15 percent.
For localized non-melanoma skin cancer, treatment often involves the surgical removal of the affected area. This typically leads to a cure, and the patient can expect to live for many years. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be used to treat localized non-melanoma skin cancer, depending on the size and location of the tumor.
For patients with more advanced non-melanoma skin cancer, the prognosis is not as good. Treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiation may be used to slow the progression of the cancer, but it is unlikely that a cure will be achieved. In these cases, the patient may live anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the individual case.
Overall, non-melanoma skin cancer is a very treatable form of cancer, and with proper treatment, many patients can enjoy a good quality of life for many years.