Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) most commomly appears as a scaly, non-healing patch on the skin. It typically arises on areas that get the most sun, such as the face, backs of the hands, and forearms. Often, a precursor lesion known as an actinic keratosis is present before the SCC develops.
With time, SCC can break down the skin, causing a non-healing sore or even an ulcer in the skin. These skin cancers can bleed easily. And while they may be tender or itchy, most of the time, they do not cause any discomfort at all.
In its earliest stages, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is usually confined to the epidermis, the uppermost layer of the skin, and is referred to as squamous cell carcinoma in situ, or Bowen’s disease. With time, the skin cancer can invade through the epidermis and spread to the deeper layers of the skin. When this occurs, the tumor is referred to as an invasive SCC.
Does squamous cell carcinoma spread?
In general, SCC causes local destruction and only breaks down the skin and tissues where it develops. However, approximately 2-6% of SCC can metastasize and spread inside the body. This is particularly true if the SCC develops in high risk locations, such as the lip, ear, genital area, or within scars.
Also, if the skin cancer is larger than 2 cm, invades into the fatty layer under the skin, has a histology that is poorly differentiated when examined under the microscope, or is wrapped around nerves in the skin (perineural invasion), it has a greater chance of spreading.
Patients with suppressed immune systems, including those with organ transplants, blood cancers such as leukemia, HIV and/or AIDS, or patients taking medications that suppress their immune system are also at increased risk for having their skin cancer spread.
If your dermatologist suspects that you have a SCC, they will perform a biopsy to check the lesion under the microscope and confirm the diagnosis.
In the early stages, SCC and its precursor lesion can sometimes be treated with:
- A topical cream
- Blue light therapy
- Scraping and burning the lesion on the skin (curettage and electrodesiccation)
However, in the majority of cases, SCC is treated with:
- Surgical excision
- Mohs micrographic surgery
Schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists today at Sanova Dermatology for expert squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis and treatment.
THE TREATMENTS BELOW CAN HELP WITH SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA:
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