Squamous Cell Carcinoma

A common type of skin cancer that mostly begins when UV light from the sun damages the skin and causes a cancerous tumor.

What is it?

Squamous cell carcinoma originates from the squamous cells, constituting the mid and outermost skin layers. While it is a prevalent type of skin cancer, it is usually not life-threatening. However, if left untreated, it might enlarge and penetrate deeper into the skin, potentially spreading to different body parts, damaging nerves, blood vessels, and any other structures in its path, so early intervention is crucial.

The leading cause of squamous cell carcinoma is excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, such as sunlight, tanning beds, or lamps. It typically presents as a hard, nodular bump on the skin. Symptoms can vary greatly but watch out for a rough, reddish or scaly patch, a persistent open sore, wart-like growth, or a sore that forms in an old scar. Book an appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

How is it treated?

To determine if your squamous cell carcinoma has developed into skin cancer, our medical team will closley examine the area of concern. If it appears it might be cancerous, we'll proceed with a biopsy. A biopsy is quick and involves your dermatologist desensitizing the area and excising all (or a segment) of the lesion. The skin that our dermatologist extracts will subsequently be assessed to determine whether your tissue is benign (ordinary, non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), the specific variant of squamous cell skin cancer, and/or if the cancer possesses any additional characteristics that render it more serious.

Our cancer specialists possess advanced training and certification across a range of skin cancer treatments, encompassing surgical excision, Mohs surgery, immunotherapy, targeted drug therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. As members of the DOCS Dermatology Group, our team of providers have access to pioneering clinical trials for cancers that are more resistant to conventional treatment.

Reminder: Early detection is vital to a treatment strategy. Schedule an appointment today at one of our offices located in Dublin, Columbus, Canal Winchester, Urbana, Circleville, Washington Courthouse, Grove City and Marysville, Ohio.

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