Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) most often begins as a benign skin condition that slowly turns cancerous. If you notice rough, scaly patches or other signs of cancer, you can remove SCC with treatment from Gangaram Ragi, MD, at Saddle River Skin and Mohs Surgery, LLC. The practice offers skin cancer evaluations and the treatments needed to prevent or cure early-stage cancer. Call the office in Saddle River, New Jersey, or request an appointment online today.

What should I know about squamous cell carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma, or SCC, the second most common type of skin cancer, is also called cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). This distinguishes it from many other squamous cell carcinomas that occur throughout your body.

Squamous cells line organs like your throat and lungs. They also form the outer layer of your skin, where exposure to ultraviolet light (from sunlight and tanning beds) mutates their DNA and causes cancerous tumors.

Squamous cell carcinoma is usually cured and rarely causes complications. However, without treatment, it can grow deep under your skin, metastasize (spread to other body areas), and lead to death.

How do I know I have squamous cell carcinoma?

In most cases, the earliest sign of squamous cell carcinoma is a skin condition called actinic keratosis. Actinic keratosis causes a rough, scaly patch on your skin that may look gray, pink, red, or flesh-colored. These patches are benign (noncancerous) at first, then gradually turn into SCC.

You could also have signs such as:

• Sore with a scaly crust
• Raised, wart-like growth
• Firm, red bump (nodule)
• Itching, burning, or bleeding at dry patches
• Skin growths from patches of actinic keratosis

Though SCC most often appears in body areas frequently exposed to sunlight, it can develop anywhere. If you’re worried about skin lesions, don’t hesitate to schedule a skin exam at Saddle River Skin and Mohs Surgery, LLC.

How is SCC skin cancer treated?

Your provider removes the tumor using one of the following techniques:

Surgical excision

Surgical excision refers to using a scalpel to remove the visible tumor along with a layer of skin surrounding the tumor.

Curettage and electrodesiccation

A curettage is a loop-shaped instrument that scrapes away the cancerous cells. Then your provider applies a mild electrical current to the area to destroy all the cancer cells.

Mohs surgery

Mohs is the preferred skin surgery for treating SCC. This precise technique allows your provider to carefully remove all the cancer, one thin layer at a time, effectively eliminating the cancer while saving the most healthy tissues.

In the rare case of SCC spreading into the lymph nodes and from there to other body areas, your provider works with a team of oncologists to ensure you get the best care. Oncologists provide additional cancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. 

At the first sign of actinic keratosis or other squamous cell carcinoma lesions, call Saddle River Skin and Mohs Surgery, LLC, or use online booking to request an appointment today.