Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

Diagnosis

To diagnose a squamous cell carcinoma of the skin the doctor may inquire about the symptoms. Test and procedure may include: 

• Physical examination: The doctor may perform a thorough inspection of the skin for symptoms along with asking about the patient’s medical history. 
• Biopsy: A skin biopsy is the removal of a tiny sample of tissue to be examined under a microscope. The type of skin biopsy depends on the specific situation. The doctor will utilize a tool to remove away some or all the suspicious skin lesion to confirm a squamous cell carcinoma of the skin diagnosis. 
• Imaging tests: An imaging test will be used to determine the size of the carcinoma beneath the skin and whether it has spread to other parts of the body, particularly the lymph nodes. This is usually done through CT scan or MRI. 

Treatment

The specific treatment of squamous cell carcinomas of the skin is determined by the size, location, and aggressiveness of the tumor, as well as one’s personal preferences. The treatment focuses on eradicating cancer from the tissues of the body. Most squamous cell carcinomas of the skin can be eliminated with simple surgery or, in rare cases, with a topical medication.

• Treatments for very small skin cancers: Less invasive treatments are available for low–risk, small skin cancer, such as:
  • Curettage and electrodessication (C and E): This treatment is frequently utilized for tiny or very superficial squamous cell skin tumors. The procedure involves scratching the malignant lump with a spoon–like tool or curette, followed by burning the region with an electric needle.
  • Laser therapy: This option is commonly recommended for very superficial skin lesions since it usually comes with minimal injury to surrounding tissue and a lower risk of bleeding, swelling, and scarring. The procedure uses a strong light beam that vaporizes growths. 
  • Cryosurgery: This is a treatment that uses severe cold to freeze and kill abnormal cells. The procedure usually uses substances such as liquid nitrogen to achieve this intense cold. After the C and E procedure, freezing may be done. This is often used to treat superficial skin lesions. Most people recover quickly and with little pain from the procedure. 
  • Photodynamic therapy: Photodynamic therapy is a treatment for superficial skin cancers that involves the use of photosensitizing drugs and light. This therapy starts with the application of a liquid drug on the skin that sensitizes cancer cells to light. Then, a specific type of light is directed onto the treated area to destroy the cancer cells.
• Treatments for larger skin cancers: Larger squamous cell carcinomas and those that spread deeper into the skin and may require more invasive treatment, such as:
  • Simple excision: In some cases, the doctor may advise wide excision. This entails removing additional normal skin around the tumor. In simple incision, the doctor usually removes malignant tissue as well as a border of good skin around it. Skin reconstruction may be done to minimize scarring.
  • Mohs surgery: This is a precise, outpatient procedure to remove high–risk skin cancer while preserving healthy tissue to ensure that the entire tumor is removed while avoiding taking too much healthy skin from the surrounding area. This is done through layer–by–layer excision, inspecting each layer under a microscope until no abnormal cells remain. 
  • Radiation therapy: This procedure is usually recommended for people who are unable to undergo surgery, or at a high risk of cancer recurrence. To kill cancer cells, radiation therapy employs high–energy beams such as X–rays and protons. 
• Treatments for skin cancer that spreads beyond the skin: These drug treatments are often prescribed when the squamous cell carcinoma spreads to other parts of the body:
  • Chemotherapy: If squamous cell carcinoma spreads to the lymph nodes or other regions of the body, chemotherapy can be administered. Chemotherapy is a widely used cancer treatment. It uses medications to kill cancer cells and halt tumor growth. It could be combined with other cancer treatments including targeted drug therapy and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is typically administered intravenously. 
  • Targeted drug therapy: Targeted medication therapy is frequently used in conjunction with chemotherapy. It targets specific weaknesses seen in cancer cells. Cancer cells can be killed by blocking these weaknesses.
  • Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy may be used for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or when other therapies are not suitable. Since cancer cells release proteins that blind immune system cells, the body’s disease-fighting immune system may fail to battle cancer. Immunotherapy works by disrupting that process. Immunotherapy is a cancer-fighting medicine that boosts the immune system.