SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA (SCC)

 

  Generally related to chronic sun exposure, however, one might see this cancer after burns, radiation damage, damage to the immune system and long standing ulcers or sores.

This is skin cancer is less common than Basal Cell Carcinoma. Generally, the cancer is confined to the outer skin layer (epidermis), but can penetrate deeper and get out of control.

Most SCC are seen in the sun exposed parts of the body and take a long time to develop. Mucous membranes can be affected and a common area is the lower lip.

There are lesions found on the skin that can be precursors to the eventually formation of this skin cancer, such as:

• Actinic Keratosis - rough, scaly reddish patches on the skin from sun exposure

• Actinic Cheilitis - white to pale scaly patches and dry, cracked looking lips from sun exposure.

• Bowens Disease - a scaly, brown to red patch the growing along the surface of the skin.

• Erythroplakia - slightly raised reddish areas inside the mouth that bleed easily

• Leukoplakia - white patches inside the mouth which a less worrisome than Erythroplakia.

Treatment of SCC

• Surgical removal of this tumor is the most important aspect of controlling this type of skin cancer.

• Lasers, Cryotherapy (freezing) and Medications, such as topical 5-Fluorouracil creams may be helpful in very early, superficial skin.

• Radiation treatments are generally reserved to help control more advanced cancer.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer Thousand Oaks Plastic Surgeon Christopher Costanzo MD, Skin Cancer Surgeon performs skin cancer removal and reconstruction for Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Melanoma and other skin cancers for men and women in Thousand Oaks, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, West Hills, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Calabasas, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Camarillo, Ventura and Santa Barbara.