Advanced squamous cell carcinoma, unspecified

Posted by tinabp69 @tinabp69, Sep 22, 2025

My friend was recently diagnosed with advanced squamous cell carcinoma, unspecified, meaning they don't know the origin of the cancer cells because it is so advanced and has spread to her lungs, lymph nodes, brain, and possibly bones. Has anyone had any experience with this type of diagnosis? I know the long term outlook does not look good, but she is otherwise an incredibly fit and healthy 56 year old woman. Just wondering if this group might have some experience with lat stage unspecified cancers. TIA.

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My squamous only invaded a lymph node so certainly not advanced. I hope your friend is getting to a cancer center like Mayo to get the latest treatment. I've been on Libtayo immunotherapy for over a year and having good
results. It hasn't 100% knocked it out but close. I've had no more outbreaks on my skin and PET scans don't show anything visible in my body. I do Signatera blood testing from a sample of my original surgery and that's where the remaining cancer cells show up but not where. I hope they can extend your friends life!

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I have had at least 8-10 squamous cells over my lifetime. I was a lifeguard in high school and college and certainly had my share of the sun. Right now now, I have developed a squamous cell on one of my left fingers and have to have Mohs surgery on it in October. There isn’t much fat under the skin of the finger so hope that they can get it all without too much difficulty. All my best wishes to the people who posted with squamous cell skin cancer that has spread. Keeping you in my prayers. MaryAnn from Boston

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