Physician Treatment of Skin Irregularities
For an appointment with Dr. Sommers please call 636-978-8600
Squamous Cell Cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer,
with over 250,000 new cases per year estimated in the United States. It
arises in the squamous cells that compose most of the upper layer of the skin.
Most SCCs are not serious. When identified early and treated promptly,
the future is bright. However, if overlooked, they are harder to treat and
can cause disfigurement. While 96 to 97 percent of SCCs are localized, the
small percentage of remaining cases can spread to distant organs and become
life-threatening.
Cause
Most cases of squamous cell carcinoma are caused by chronic overexposure
to the sun. Tumors appear most frequently on the sun-exposed face, neck,
bald scalp, hands, shoulders, arms and back. The rim of the ear and the
lower lip are especially vulnerable to these cancers.
Occasionally, squamous cell carcinoma arises spontaneously on what appears to
be normal, healthy, undamaged skin. Some researchers believe that a tendency to
develop this cancer may be inherited.
What to Look For
Squamous cell tumors are thick, rough, horny and shallow when they
develop. Occasionally, they will ulcerate, which means that the skin above
the cancer is not intact. There will be a raised border and a crusted surface
over a raised, pebbly, granular base.
Any bump or open sore in areas of chronic inflammatory skin lesions indicates
the possibility of squamous cell carcinoma, and a doctor should be consulted
immediately if this is the case. Usually, the skin in these areas
reveals telltale signs of sun damage, such as wrinkling, changes in pigmentation
and loss of elasticity. That is why tumors appear most frequently on
sun-exposed parts of the body.
Precancers and Early Cancers
There are some precursor conditions, called precancers and early
cancers (also called carcinoma in situ) that are sometimes
associated with the later development of SCC. These are most
often called Actinic Keratosis. They appear as a persistent, scaly
patches.
The vast majority of SCCs are not serious if
detected early and treated quickly. However, squamous cell carcinoma
can grow quickly and can be resistant to treatment or locally aggressive,
damaging healthy skin around it, sometimes even reaching into bone and
cartilage. With delays in treatment, it may be difficult to
eliminate, and could result in disfigurement.
The treatment for most
SCCs is cryotherapy or surgical removal - this depends on patent preference, the
location on the skin, and the size of the cancer.
Back
to Skin Cancers Page
Squamous Cell Cancers
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Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer, with over 250,000 new cases per year estimated in the United States. It arises in the squamous cells that compose most of the upper layer of the skin.
Most SCCs are not serious. When identified early and treated promptly, the future is bright. However, if overlooked, they are harder to treat and can cause disfigurement. While 96 to 97 percent of SCCs are localized, the small percentage of remaining cases can spread to distant organs and become life-threatening.
Cause
Most cases of squamous cell carcinoma are caused by chronic overexposure to the sun. Tumors appear most frequently on the sun-exposed face, neck, bald scalp, hands, shoulders, arms and back. The rim of the ear and the lower lip are especially vulnerable to these cancers.
Occasionally, squamous cell carcinoma arises spontaneously on what appears to be normal, healthy, undamaged skin. Some researchers believe that a tendency to develop this cancer may be inherited.
What to Look For
Squamous cell tumors are thick, rough, horny and shallow when they develop. Occasionally, they will ulcerate, which means that the skin above the cancer is not intact. There will be a raised border and a crusted surface over a raised, pebbly, granular base.
Any bump or open sore in areas of chronic inflammatory skin lesions indicates the possibility of squamous cell carcinoma, and a doctor should be consulted immediately if this is the case. Usually, the skin in these areas reveals telltale signs of sun damage, such as wrinkling, changes in pigmentation and loss of elasticity. That is why tumors appear most frequently on sun-exposed parts of the body.
Precancers and Early Cancers
There are some precursor conditions, called precancers and early
cancers (also called carcinoma in situ) that are sometimes
associated with the later development of SCC. These are most
often called Actinic Keratosis. They appear as a persistent, scaly
patches.
The vast majority of SCCs are not serious if
detected early and treated quickly. However, squamous cell carcinoma
can grow quickly and can be resistant to treatment or locally aggressive,
damaging healthy skin around it, sometimes even reaching into bone and
cartilage. With delays in treatment, it may be difficult to
eliminate, and could result in disfigurement.
The treatment for most
SCCs is cryotherapy or surgical removal - this depends on patent preference, the
location on the skin, and the size of the cancer.
Back
to Skin Cancers Page
