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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 begins in the squamous cells, which make up the middle and outer layers of the skin. It is a common type of skin cancer and is typically not life-threatening. However, if it is not treated, it can grow larger in shape and size and even spread to other body parts if it grows too deep into the skin, causing injury to nerves, blood vessels and anything else that comes in its way.
Squamous cell carcinoma is caused by too much UV light, such as sunlight, tanning beds or lamps. It takes the shape of a firm bump—a nodule—on the skin. Symptoms can vary, but things to look for include a rough, reddish or scaly area, an open sore that won’t heal, a wart-like growth or a sore developing in an old scar.
How is it treated?
To determine if your squamous cell carcinoma has turned into skin cancer, we will examine the affected area. If it looks like it could be cancerous, we’ll move forward with a quick biopsy that involves numbing the area and removing all (or part) of the spot. The removed skin will be examined to determine if your tissue is benign (normal, non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), what type of squamous cell skin cancer it is and whether the cancer has any other features that make it a concern.
The team at Midwest Center for Dermatology and Skin Surgery has specialized training and certification across skin cancer treatments, including surgical excision, Mohs surgery, immunotherapy, targeted drug therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Midwest Providers also have access to cutting-edge clinical trials for cancers less responsive to traditional treatment.
Remember: Early detection is critical to a treatment plan.
If you have any areas of concern, schedule an appointment at one of our medical practices in Farmington Hills, Shelby Township, Clinton Township, Warren or St. Claire Shores, Michigan.