Squamous Cell Skin Cancer / Carcinoma
Squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma
is a form of skin cancer that affects the middle layer of the
skin.
Symptoms of Squamous Cell Carcinoma
The symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma are:
- Raised bumps
- Crusty and scaly bumps
- Pea-sized or larger bumps
In some instances, squamous cell skin cancer can take the form
of:
- Red, scaly bump
- Flat or slightly elevated
- 1/4 in to 1 inch in diameter
This form of skin cancer occurs most commonly on the:
- face
- lips
- inside of the mouth
- ears
- back of arms
- hands
- legs
If left untreated, squamous cell cancer can metastasize or spread
internally.
Who Gets It?
After basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma is the second
most common skin cancer. Every year, there are pproximately 250,000
cases of this skin cancer.
Prevention of Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell skin cancer can be prevented by:
- Avoiding too much sun exposure
- Using lotion with SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or greater
on sun-exposed skins
- Wearing sun-protective clothings and hats
Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma
The treatment for this skin cancer is dependent on the size and
location of the cancer:
- Surgical excision
Removal of the cancerous tissue by scalpel followed by a skin
graft is usually done for cancer that cover a large area of
the skin
- Mohs' surgery
In this surgery, the cancer cells are removed one skin layer
at a time. The layers are examined by a microscope and the skin
layers continue to be removed until no more cancer cells are
seen.
Because this procedure preserves the as much healthy tissue
as possible, it is used for squamous cell carcinoma on the face,
lips, nose, ears. It is also used for recurrent cancer.
- Chemotherapy and other conventional cancer treatment
Metastasized squamous cell skin cancer, or cancer that has spread
internally, needs to be treated with chemotherapy or other conventional
cancer treatment.
Early treatment is the key - when detected early, the cure rate
for squamous cell carcinoma is 95%.
