Skin Cancer Treatment at Treasure Coast Dermatology

Treasure Coast Dermatology Toll Free 877.870.3376 Serving Martin County, St. Lucie County, Indian River COunty and Okeechobee County

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common cancer of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma is a tumor that arises in the outer layer of the skin (the epithelium). More than 250,000 new SCC's are diagnosed every year in the U.S. Middle-aged and elderly persons, especially those with fair complexions and frequent sun exposure, are most likely to be affected. If treated in a timely manner, it is uncommon for squamous cell carcinoma to spread to other areas of the body. Squamous cell carcinomas often arise from small sandpaper-like growths called solar or actinic keratoses.

How do we get squamous cell carcinoma?

Ultraviolet light exposure (through the sun or tanning parlors) greatly increases the chance of developing skin cancer. Persons with light skin who burn easily are at the highest risk, although anyone can get squamous cell carcinoma. With increasing age, the risk of developing skin cancers grows. Heavy sun exposure and severe sunburns as a child may especially increase the likelihood of skin cancer. Many less common skin conditions also predispose individuals to the development of SCC's including conditions such as organ transplantation, chronic skin ulcers, prior x-ray treatment, arsenic ingestion, and toxic exposure to tars and oils.

What does squamous cell carcinoma look like?

A squamous cell carcinoma generally appears as a crusted or scaly area of the skin, with a red inflamed base. Squamous cell carcinoma can present as a growing tumor, a non-healing ulcer, or just as a crust. Any worrisome skin lesions, especially those that are not healing, are growing, bleeding, or changing in appearance, should be evaluated by a dermatologist. A skin biopsy for microscopic examination is usually necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Where does squamous cell carcinoma appear?

Squamous cell carcinomas are common in sun-exposed areas like the face, neck, and arms. The scalp, backs of hands and ears are especially common. However, SCC can occur anywhere on the body, even on the lips, inside the mouth, and the genetalia.

How serious is squamous cell carcinoma?

Usually these skin cancers are locally destructive. If left untreated, squamous cell carcinoma can destroy much of the tissue surrounding the tumor and may result in the loss of a nose or ear. In certain aggressive types of squamous cell carcinomas, especially those on the lips and ears, or those that are left untreated; the tumor can spread to the lymph nodes and other organs, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths each year in the United States.

How is squamous cell carcinoma treated?

Dermatologists use a variety of different surgical treatment options depending on location of the tumor, size of the tumor, microscopic characteristics of the tumor, health of the patient, and other factors. Most treatment options are relatively minor office-based procedures that require only local anesthesia. Surgical excision to remove the entire cancer is the most commonly used treatment option. "Mohs" micrographic surgery, a more involved method requiring specialized training by dermatologic surgeons, can be used to remove the whole tumor while sparing as much normal skin as possible. The physicians at Treasure Coast Dermatology are specially trained in Mohs micrographic surgery. Other dermatologic surgery treatments include laser surgery, cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen, radiation therapy, and electrodessication and curettage, which involves alternately scraping or burning the tumor in combination with low levels of electricity.

Can squamous cell carcinoma be prevented?

Ultraviolet light avoidance is the primary form of prevention and is important for all ages. Outdoor activity should be avoided between late morning and early afternoon, tanning parlors should be shunned, and wide brimmed hats should be worn along with other protective clothing. Sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher and UVA block should be applied regularly even for a brief exposure to sunlight.

Skin Cancer: the Disease

Here at Treasure Coast Dermatology, patients will benefit from the most up-to-date knowledge available as well as state-of-the-art technology. Drs Sanders and Ioannides perform Mohs Micrographic Surgery, the most advanced method for treating - and beating - skin cancer. In fact, studies show the success rate of Mohs surgery to be between 97 and 99.8 percent in patients with basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer.

Mohs surgery succeeds
where others have failed

"This procedure has the highest surgical cure rate for both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma,"

The Mohs technique involves removing successive layers of tissue and immediately examining them with a microscope to determine at what point all signs of cancer have been excised.

The entire procedure may take a few hours to complete, but actual surgical time is much less. Most of the time is spent in careful preparation and scrutiny of the excised tissue.

"If cancer cells are still evident in a layer of tissue, another thin layer is excised during the same procedure," explains Dr. Sanders. "The process is repeated until all the cancer cells are removed, preserving as much healthy tissue as possible around the site of the lesion."

Mohs Procedure allows for preservation of healthy tissue

Because skin cancer surgery must be performed in such a way as to leave the patient with the most cosmetically pleasing result possible, the surgeons at Treasure Coast Dermatology are trained in Mohs micrographic surgery, a special technique for select skin cancer patients.

"Mohs surgery is a highly specialized technique for precise, minimally invasive surgical treatment of skin cancer," explains Dr. Ioannides.