Skin Cancer - Squamous Cell Cancer - 2

These symptoms may indicate presence of SCC-

A red bump on sun-exposed skin which does not go away. This will be found mainly on sun exposed areas - the face, head, hands, or shoulders.

A growing irritated or reddish patch and forms a sore.

A new skin growth that looking like a wart.

A sore on the lower lip, that does not heal or an area of thickened skin on the lower lip, especially in smokers or tobacco chewers or those, whose lips are exposed to the sun and wind.
Any diseased area of skin (lesion) can indicate SCC and should be examined if it has changed colour, shape, size, or appearance or has not healed after an injury.

Diagnosis of Squamous Cell Cancer

The SCC tumors may be tender to the touch due to their rapid growth and inflammatory reaction. In the latter of growth they may ulcerate and affect nerves with subsequent pain. A biopsy confirms the presence of SCC.

Treatment of Squamous Cell Cancer

Surgery to remove the cancer is the treatment of choice. The treatment will however depend upon a variety of factors including size and location of the lesion, type of tumor, and age of the patient.

Radiation therapy is an effective option for many tumors, especially large lesions on the nose, lips, or eyelids, and for those who can not undergo surgery. The radiation destroys the tumor cells along with some surrounding healthy tissue. Cryosurgery, is also useful in some cases. This method uses liquid Nitrogen to remove the cancer. The wound created by the procedure usually heals within 4 weeks.

Surgery however is considered the first choice.In surgical excision, a marginof healthy appearing tissue is removed long with the tumor to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. A specialized form of surgery, called Mohs micrographic surgery is sometimes done, especially with large tumors with poorly defined edges or on areas of the body where the scar outcome is more important.

In this surgery, the cancerous cells from the healthy looking margins are carefully removed.

High Risk Groups

Fair skin, age above 40, living closer to equator etc. are some factors. Someone who has had one skin cancer is more likely to develop another skin cancer in the future. The risk of Scc also increases in immuno-supressed people.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.