What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer. It has the appearance of long-lasting, rough, scaly, thick patches that may bleed if scratched, scraped or bumped. They are similar to warts or open sores with raised edges and a crusty surface. People with fair skin, light hair and blue or gray eyes are the most likely to suffer from this type of cancer. On the other hand, dark-skinned people are less likely than light-skinned people to get SCC, although all skin types are vulnerable.
Treatment for Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Many squamous cell skin cancers are localized and treated in the early stages, at which time they can be removed or destroyed with local treatment methods. Minor squamous cell cancers can usually be cured with these treatments. Other major squamous cell cancers are more difficult to treat, and fast-growing cancers have a higher risk of recurrence.
On rare occasions, squamous cell cancers can spread to the lymph nodes or to different parts of the body. If this occurs, treatments such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy or both may be necessary.
Some symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma may be red spots or look like warts.
- Surgery
There are different types of surgery to treat squamous cell skin cancers
- Excision: The tumor is removed along with a small margin of normal skin to treat squamous cell cancers.
- Curettage and electrodesiccation: this method is useful in the treatment of minor squamous cell cancers, it is not recommended for larger tumors.
- Mohs surgery: This operation is especially useful for treating squamous cell cancers more than 2 cm wide or with poorly defined borders, for cancers that have recurred after other treatments, for cancer that spreads along the nerves under the skin, and for cancer located in certain areas of the face or genital area.
- Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is sometimes a good option for patients with large tumors, specifically in areas where surgery is difficult to perform or for patients who cannot have surgery. This treatment is not used as much as the initial treatment in younger patients because of the potential risk of long-term problems.
- Cryotherapy
Cryosurgery is used for some early stage squamous cell cancers, specifically in people who cannot have surgery, but is not recommended for larger invasive tumors, or for tumors in certain parts of the nose, ears, eyelids, scalp, or legs.
Symptoms of Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell cancers tend to appear on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the face, ears, neck, lips, and back of the hands. They can also appear, although less frequently, on the skin of the genital area. On other occasions they may arise on scars or skin sores that appear on other areas of the body.
Cancers can appear in the following forms:
- Red spots that are rough or scaly and may bleed or crust.
- Raised growths, sometimes with a lower area in the center.
- Open sores that do not heal or heal and come back.
- Wart-like growths.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Testing
If the patient detects an abnormal area of your body that could be skin cancer, your doctor will examine it and may order tests to determine if it is cancer or another skin problem. In addition, other tests may be done if there is a chance that the skin cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
- Medical history and physical examination: The specialist will ask the patient about symptoms. He/she will want to know when the first mark appeared on the skin, if it has changed in size or appearance, if it has caused pain or bleeding. He may also ask if in the past the patient was exposed to conditions that can cause skin cancer and if any member of his family has suffered from this cancer.
- Skin biopsy: In the event that the physician suspects skin cancer, the area will be removed and sent to a laboratory for close examination. If the biopsy removes the tumor completely, this is often enough to cure squamous cell and basal cell cancers without further treatment.
- Lymph node biopsy: It is difficult for basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer to spread outside the skin, but if it does, it affects adjacent lymph nodes first. If your doctor notices that the lymph nodes under the skin and near the tumor are very large or very hard, he or she can arrange for a lymph node biopsy to find out if the cancer has spread to them.
Prevention of Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell skin cancer can be detected in its early stages, and thus may be easier to treat.
- Skin self-examination: Many physicians recommend that their patients examine their skin if possible once a month. The best way to do a skin self-exam is in a brightly lit room in front of a full-length mirror. In areas that are more difficult to see, such as the back of the thighs, a hand mirror can be used.
- Examination by a health care professional: Some physicians and other health care professionals perform skin examinations when performing routine medical checkups. Regular skin examinations are very important for people who are at high risk for skin cancer, such as people with reduced immunity or people with conditions, such as basal cell syndrome or xeroderma pigmentosum.
Which specialist treats you?
The dermatologist is the specialist in charge of treating Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Top Doctors offers patients the best specialist according to their preferences or medical coverage.