Squamous cell carcinoma
Overview
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer. Thankfully, in most cases treatment is relatively quick and straightforward. However, SCCs can sometimes grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body. Therefore, early detection is important to avoid more serious complications.
Most SCCs appear as a crusty area of skin with a red base. They can also be tender, or bleed, and they can also occur as an ulcer. They can vary in appearance, so if you have noticed any changes or unusual lesions on your skin, it is best to have them examined by a specialist, to get an accurate diagnosis.
SCCs usually appear in areas that have been most exposed to the sun over the years. These include your head, ears, neck, and the back of your hands. If you are pale skinned and burn easily, or have spent a lot of time outdoors, through work or hobbies, you are more at risk. Other groups that are particularly susceptible to SCCs include:
- People who have used sunbeds or spent long periods of time sunbathing.
- Those suffering from immunodeficiency, for example through medical treatments – such as kidney transplants.
- Individuals with actinic keratosis or Bowen’s disease – skin conditions that appear as flaky red patches that will not heal. If neglected, they can develop into SCCs. So, it is always a good idea to have them checked and treated if necessary.
Treatment
Most cases of SCC are relatively simple to treat, but it is important to diagnose and treat early, as in a few cases it can become dangerous and spread to other parts of the body.
Treatment for a squamous cell carcinoma is usually quick and highly successful, particularly if the lesion is caught early while still small. The most common procedure is a simple surgical excision to remove the cancer, along with some of the surrounding healthy skin. The area is then closed with a few stitches. Other treatments include curettage, which involves scraping away the cancer. These are carried out by our surgical dermatologist.
However, if your cancer is large, in an awkward place on the body, or has spread, you may need more complex treatment, including advanced surgery and/or radiotherapy. Other specialist treatments such as chemotherapy may also be required.
Here at the GMI we have a team of highly specialized professionals with experience in the early detection of skin cancer, and we use advanced equipment for its diagnosis and treatment. In complex cases, a multi-disciplinary approach model is adopted, where teams of different specialties including dermatology, surgery, oncology, and radiotherapy, discuss each case and decide what the optimal treatment for each patient is. We are here to guide and support you along the way.
Diagnosis
A specialized dermatologist will examine your skin and identify any suspicious lesions that could potentially be dangerous and require treatment. A small biopsy is sometimes recommended to further assess a suspicious lesion. Determining the best treatment options will depend on this result.
Why GMI
At the GMI German Oncology Center, a dedicated team of internationally acclaimed physicians guides each lung cancer patient through their entire journey, from their diagnostic work-up to their treatment and post-treatment care.
The GMI team will never offer a simple “one size fits all” approach to any patient. We believe each patient’s case is as individual as they are and strive to find the best solution for each of our patients, taking their specific case and diagnosis, their lifestyle, and choices into account.
We believe each of our patients is more than their diagnosis. That’s why our dedicated paramedics team supports lung cancer patients on their journey by offering more than just expert medical care. We offer psychological help, integrative oncology services (including yoga classes, and acupuncture) and have a GMI Patient Advocacy Program.
Adhering to our passion for innovation, and desire to progress the medical field, the GMI German Oncology Center both initiates and participates in several clinical trials in which the most modern and advanced treatment concepts are tested.
