Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common types of skin cancer, affecting thousands of people every year. It usually develops in the middle and outer layers of the skin. It may not be life threatening, but it can lead to serious complications if left untreated. For treatment of squamous cell carcinoma, Philadelphia patients can contact Keystone Dermatology Partners.

Causes

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) forms due to changes in cells’ DNA, causing abnormal growth and multiplication. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the main culprit for this disease. UV light from the sun, tanning beds, and lamps causes squamous carcinoma, as well as other types of skin cancers.

Symptoms

Occurring most commonly on exposed areas like your neck, ears, lips, hands, arms, or back, SCCs appear as a firm red nodule, a flat sore, or a scaly patch. It can also appear as a rough sore inside your mouth or wart-like sores on your genital area.

Diagnosis

In order to properly determine if your skin problem is cancerous, a physical examination will be conducted by Dr. Clifford Perlis. For confirmation, a biopsy might be performed. He will use a tool to take a small sample of tissue, which will be sent to the laboratory for diagnostic testing.

During the consultation, you will be asked about your lifestyle and medical history. This will give Dr. Perlis an idea of the cause and the course of treatment to follow.

Treatments

There are several ways to treat small skin cancers, and there is also a lot of success when early intervention is done. Here are some of the treatments Dr. Perlis might use to address your squamous cell carcinoma.

For small skin cancers:

Curettage and electrodesiccation (C and E) – Small cancers can be removed by scraping using an instrument called a curette. The resulting small opening on the skin is then precisely seared by an electric needle to close it up. This is an effective treatment for the removal of superficial cancers.

Photodynamic therapy – This method involves the use of a photosensitizing drug that is applied to the target area, making the cancer cells sensitive to light. Then a light source is focused on the area to destroy the carcinoma cells.

Cryosurgery – This procedure is done to treat basal cell carcinoma and superficial lesions. It uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy cancer cells. A scraping tool will be used on the target area to remove the affected tissue.

For large skin cancers:

Excision – The removal of skin cancer can be done with simple excision. However, Dr. Perlis might include some of the surrounding healthy tissue to ensure the complete extraction of cancerous cells. For large excisions, you might need skin reconstruction.

Radiation – If you cannot undergo surgery, you can have the option to do radiation therapy instead. X-rays and proton beams may be used to target the cancer cells. This method is also used when there is a great chance of recurrence.

Mohs surgery – In an effort to minimize the removal of healthy tissues, Dr. Perlis can perform Mohs surgery. He will remove your carcinoma layer by layer, each time examining it under a microscope until he can detect no more abnormal cells in the tissue.

There are many options when it comes to the removal and control of squamous cell carcinoma. It is important that you consult Dr. Perlis promptly so it can be treated at an earlier stage.

Post-Treatment Care

Most squamous cell carcinoma treatments are done on an outpatient basis. Dr. Perlis will give you the information you need to ensure you recover fully from your treatment. Reduce your exposure to sunlight and other UV sources to lessen the risk of recurrence.

Arrange a Consultation

If you are worried that you may have skin cancer, contact us for a consultation regarding squamous cell carcinoma in Philadelphia. Dr. Clifford Perlis will diagnose your lesion and recommend the ideal treatment option.