Squamous cell carcinoma develops due to the overproduction of squamous cells in your skin, leading to a large mass of abnormal cells. Excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays can increase the risk of developing cancer. If your doctor detects Teaneck squamous cell carcinoma early, you can have a high chance of healing.
What you should learn about squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant skin cancer that affects the squamous cells. It often occurs due to long exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light damage to the exposed skin, although people with darker skin tones may develop this cancer in non-sun-exposed parts. Although squamous cell carcinoma is not life-threatening, it can be aggressive and spread to other body parts, resulting in severe complications. However, if caught early, you can deter it from spreading and causing more harm to your body. Squamous cell carcinoma can manifest on any part of your body consisting of squamous cells.
How to identify squamous cell carcinoma
The Advanced Laser and Skin Cancer Center team encourages inspecting your skin regularly for abnormal growths like lesions. They also offer skin screenings for individuals with an elevated risk of getting skin cancer. These screenings help detect cancer before it spreads to other body parts. If your provider detects a suspicious lesion, they may recommend a biopsy to test for cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma may manifest in red nodules, a wart-like lesion, flat, scaly sores, an ulcer, or a rough patch. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice a scab or sore that doesn’t heal in over two months or scaly skin that won’t go away.
Available treatments for squamous cell carcinoma
During your appointment at Advanced Laser and Skin Cancer Center, your doctor may discuss your symptoms, review your health history and perform a series of tests to obtain an accurate diagnosis. The team may recommend a skin biopsy which involves extracting a small tissue sample for examination. They may also use MRI or CT scans to check the size of cancer and determine whether it has spread to other body parts like the nymph nodes.
After diagnosis, the team may educate you about the available treatment options before recommending the most effective and safest option. Your treatment plan will rely on your cancer’s location, size, and shape. The earlier your provider detects Squamous cell carcinoma, the better your chances of successful treatment. The team may recommend Mohs surgery, cryotherapy, surgical excision, or laser therapy to treat cancer. Mohs surgery involves removing the cancerous cells layer by layer to preserve the healthy skin surrounding the lesion. It is an excellent option for delicate body parts like ears, eyelids, and hands.
While squamous cell carcinoma is not as life-threatening as other types of skin cancer, it can destroy the surrounding tissue, spread to your lymph nodes, and lead to fatal complications. You may have an elevated risk of aggressive squamous cell carcinoma if you have a weak immune system due to medical conditions like leukemia or if the cancer is large and deep.
Call the practice or book your spot online for more information about squamous cell carcinoma.
