When melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, or squamous cell carcinoma has spread or can no longer be cured with surgery alone
Most skin cancers are found early and cured with a single procedure. A minority behave differently — growing deep into nearby tissue, returning after surgery or radiation, or spreading to lymph nodes and distant organs. Doctors call these tumors "advanced," and they are managed with a different set of tools, usually by a team rather than one clinician.
Across melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, "advanced" covers two broad situations:
The tumor has grown large or deep, invaded structures such as cartilage, bone, or nerves, reached nearby lymph nodes, or recurred — and surgery or radiation can no longer control it without unacceptable harm to function or appearance.
The cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes or organs such as the lungs, liver, bone, or brain. How often this happens varies enormously by type — common enough to stage for in melanoma, exceedingly rare in basal cell carcinoma.
Each guide below covers what advanced disease means for that cancer, how it is evaluated, and the treatment options available.
Regionally advanced (stage III) and metastatic (stage IV) melanoma — staging workup, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and newer options.
Explore →Locally advanced and metastatic BCC — when surgery and radiation aren't enough, hedgehog pathway inhibitors, and immunotherapy.
Explore →Locally advanced and metastatic cutaneous SCC — high-risk features, nodal spread, multidisciplinary workup, and immunotherapy.
Explore →The specifics differ by cancer type, but advanced disease tends to change care in the same ways:
Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified dermatologist or oncologist about your diagnosis and treatment plan.
Chat with our AI guide for information about advanced and metastatic skin cancer
Chat with the Navigator