Spindle cell skin cancer is a type of cancer that originates either in the skin or organ-lining tissues. While it shares some characteristics with squamous cell skin cancer, it’s distinguished by long, spindle-shaped cells, and is also referred to as sarcomatoid carcinoma. What are the spindle cell skin cancer symptoms, and what is its survival rate? Let’s dive deeper into this specific form of cancer. 

Spindle Cell Skin Cancer Symptoms 

Spindle cell skin cancer is a very rare variant of squamous cell skin cancer, which is classified as a non-melanoma skin cancer. Squamous cell skin cancer lesions typically appear on the skin, but can occasionally arise inside the body in places like the mouth or outer lining of certain organs. Spindle cell skin cancer frequently develops within the oral cavity, such as the mouth, lip, tongue, but can also be found inside the throat. 

Because this form of cancer is primarily internal, visual warning signs may not arise. Common spindle cell skin cancer symptoms include: 

• Swelling 
• Pain around the cancerous area
• Bleeding
• Ulceration 
• A burning or prickling feeling in the hands, arms, or feet (known as paresthesia) 

Spindle Cell Skin Cancer Prognosis 

Unlike most forms of skin cancer, which are commonly caused by overexposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays, spindle cell skin cancer is caused by excessive tobacco use, alcohol consumption, or too much contact with radiation. These factors compromise the sensitive skin cells located in the mouth and larynx, forcing them to regenerate at an abnormal rate. Spindle cell skin cancer appears more often in male patients in their 50s or 60s. 

A spindle cell skin cancer prognosis is much more serious than squamous cell skin cancer, even though the two share some similarities. Its lesions are much harder to detect and distinguish from other tumors, and are sometimes misdiagnosed as benign. The spindle cell skin cancer survival rate is 39%, compared to the squamous cell skin cancer survival rate which is 99% when caught early. 

Know Your Options for Spindle Cell Skin Cancer

Receiving a spindle cell skin cancer prognosis will often require a combination of surgical and radiotherapy treatment. Image-Guided Radiotherapy (Image-Guided SRT) is a surgery-free common skin cancer treatment that harnesses the power of radiation to break up and destroy cancerous cells. Curious about how Image-Guided SRT works? Talk to your physician about this innovative technique, or call our skin cancer specialist team at 855-936-4411.