Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer. It begins in the squamous cells in the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). It occurs most often in parts of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face, lips, neck, arms, legs, and hands. However, this condition can occur anywhere on the body, including the inside of the mouth, sites of long-term (chronic) scarring, and the anus.
If treated soon enough, squamous cell carcinoma rarely spreads to other areas of the body (metastasizes). If left untreated, it can destroy nearby tissues. In rare cases, it can spread to other areas.
CAUSES
This condition is usually caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. The UV light may come from the …show more content…
• Removal of a tissue sample (biopsy) to be examined under a microscope.
TREATMENT
Treatment for this condition involves removing the cancerous tissue. The method used for this depends on the size and location of the tumors, as well as your overall health. Possible treatments include:
• Mohs surgery. In this procedure, the cancerous skin cells are removed layer by layer until all of the tumor has been removed.
• Surgical removal of the tumor (excision). This involves removing the entire tumor and a small amount of surrounding normal skin.
• Plastic surgery. The tumor is removed, and healthy skin from another part of the body is used to cover the wound. This may be done for large tumors where it is not possible to stretch the nearby skin to sew the edges of the wound together.
• Photodynamic therapy. A chemical cream is applied to the skin, and light exposure is used to activate the chemical.
• Cryosurgery. This involves freezing the tumor with liquid nitrogen.
• Radiation. This may be used for tumors on the face.
• Electrodesiccation and curettage. This involves alternately scraping and burning the tumor, using an electric current to control
Squamous cell carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer. It begins in the squamous cells in the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). It occurs most often in parts of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face, lips, neck, arms, legs, and hands. However, this condition can occur anywhere on the body, including the inside of the mouth, sites of long-term (chronic) scarring, and the anus.
If treated soon enough, squamous cell carcinoma rarely spreads to other areas of the body (metastasizes). If left untreated, it can destroy nearby tissues. In rare cases, it can spread to other areas.
CAUSES
This condition is usually caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. The UV light may come from the …show more content…
• Removal of a tissue sample (biopsy) to be examined under a microscope.
TREATMENT
Treatment for this condition involves removing the cancerous tissue. The method used for this depends on the size and location of the tumors, as well as your overall health. Possible treatments include:
• Mohs surgery. In this procedure, the cancerous skin cells are removed layer by layer until all of the tumor has been removed.
• Surgical removal of the tumor (excision). This involves removing the entire tumor and a small amount of surrounding normal skin.
• Plastic surgery. The tumor is removed, and healthy skin from another part of the body is used to cover the wound. This may be done for large tumors where it is not possible to stretch the nearby skin to sew the edges of the wound together.
• Photodynamic therapy. A chemical cream is applied to the skin, and light exposure is used to activate the chemical.
• Cryosurgery. This involves freezing the tumor with liquid nitrogen.
• Radiation. This may be used for tumors on the face.
• Electrodesiccation and curettage. This involves alternately scraping and burning the tumor, using an electric current to control