Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most commonly occurring type of skin cancer. It appears most frequently in areas that are exposed to direct sunlight, such as the face, nose, ears, lips, neck, and back of the hands. Squamous cell carcinomas can present as rough, scaly, red patches; wart or horn-like lesions; or tender, crusted growths. They can arise from pre-cancerous growths called actinic keratoses. They can also arise from areas of chronic inflammation or injury. While most squamous cell carcinomas can be cured, these skin cancers can be deadly if left untreated. Treatments are typically surgical and include electrodesiccation and curettage (scraping and applying heat to the skin cancer site), excision, and Mohs surgery. In some instances, squamous cell carcinomas can also be treated with cryotherapy (use of liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin cancer), topical medications, photodynamic therapy (PDT), or radiation.
Disclaimer:
The information on this website is provided for educational and information purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a licensed medical provider and follow their recommendations regardless of what you read on this website. If you think you are having a medical emergency, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Links to other third-party websites are provided for your convenience only. If you decide to access any of the third-party websites, you do so entirely at your own risk and subject to the terms of use for those websites. Neither The Dermatology Center at Ladera, nor any contributor to this website, makes any representation, express or implied, regarding the information provided on this website or any information you may access on a third-party website using a link. Use of this website does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you would like to request an appointment with a health care provider, please call our office at (949) 364-8411.
