Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a type of skin cancer that arises from the squamous cells, which are found in the upper layers of the skin. SCC is usually caused by long-term sun exposure but can also develop on areas of the skin that have been injured or exposed to certain chemicals. It is the second most common type of skin cancer and has the potential to spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.
Our parent company, Skin Cancer Specialists, has Fellowship-Trained Mohs micrographic and reconstructive surgeons to remove your skin cancers and unwanted growths.
Symptoms
Persistent sore or ulceration: SCC may present as a sore or ulceration on the skin that does not heal within a few weeks or months. The sore may be raised, crusty, or scaly.
Red or pink bump: SCC can appear as a raised, red or pink bump that may be rough, scaly, or crusty. It may bleed easily or develop a central depression.
Rough or scaly patch: SCC may manifest as a rough, scaly patch of skin that may be slightly elevated and have a crusty or wart-like surface.
Wart-like growth: In some cases, SCC can resemble a wart with a rough, thickened, or crusted surface.
Tender or painful: SCC may cause tenderness or pain, especially if it becomes ulcerated or invades deeper tissues.
Treatment
Your provider at Skin Care Specialists will plan a customized treatment plan for you that may include, Cryotherapy, which involves freezing the cancerous tissue with liquid nitrogen, Curettage and electrodesiccation, which involves scraping off the cancerous tissue with a sharp tool and then using an electric current to destroy any remaining cancer cells, Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells, Mohs surgery, which is a specialized surgical technique that involves removing layers of tissue one at a time until no cancer cells are present.