Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell tumours also occur on areas of the skin that have been in the sun, often on the top of the nose, forehead, lower lip, and hands. They may also appear on areas of the skin that have been burned, exposed to chemicals, or had x-ray therapy. Often this cancer appears as a firm red bump. Sometimes the tumour may feel scaly or bleed or develop a crust. Squamous cell tumours may spread to the lymph nodes in the area (lymph nodes are small bean-shaped structures that are found throughout the body; they produce and store infection-fighting cells).  

Treatment may be one of the following:

1. Surgery to remove the cancer and as little of the normal tissue as possible. During the surgery, the doctor removes the cancer and then uses a microscope to look at the surgical area to make sure no cancer cells remain (micrographic surgery).

2. Surgery to remove the cancer from the skin along with some of the healthy skin around the cancer.

3. Surgery that uses an electric current to dehydrate the tumour (electro-desiccation), then uses a specialized surgical tool (curette) to remove the tumour.

4. Surgery that freezes and kills the cancer (cryosurgery).

5. Radiation therapy.

6. Topical chemotherapy.

7. Surgery using a highly focused beam of light that destroys only the cancer cells (laser therapy).

8. A clinical trial of biological therapy with or without chemoprevention therapy.

It is important to have the skin examined regularly so the cancer can be treated if it comes back.

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