Symptoms:
Diagnosis:
Your dermatologist can suspect the diagnosis clinically and with the help of a dermatoscope (magnified light).
Treatment:
The appropriate squamous cell carcinoma treatment will depend on the severity of your condition.
Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer in the U.K. It accounts for as many as 20% of all skin cancers. Luckily, it also has a high survival rate, provided it’s detected and treated early. Still, if you or your loved one suspect SCC cancer, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Staying informed will help you with these feelings. Our expert consultants at Clinica London can examine and treat any skin lesion that is of concern to you.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a non-melanoma skin cancer that originates in the squamous cells of the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of skin. The squamous cells are flat cells which constantly shed as new ones form. In squamous cancer, these cells start growing out of control. This can occur for several reasons, the chief being long-term sun exposure. Therefore it is most commonly seen on the eyelids, face, ears, scalp and other sun-exposed areas of skin.
Squamous cell skin cancer can look different depending on where it appears and how advanced it is. Typically, it appears as rough, scaly patches or red or wart-like growths. It can also take the form of open sores that don’t seem to heal.
Another form is a raised bump or ulcerated area on sun-exposed parts of the skin. These parts typically include the face, ears, neck, and hands. In individuals with darker skin, squamous cell carcinoma is more likely to develop in areas that are less exposed to the sun, such as the genitals.
To better understand what this cancer type looks like – and differentiate it from other skin conditions – please refer to squamous cell carcinoma pictures in different stages.
The trouble with squamous cell carcinoma symptoms lies in the fact that they can sometimes resemble other common skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis. As a result, you can mistake them for less serious issues.
But remember – timely detection is critical for treating SCC cancer. So, if you notice any unusual skin changes – and they don’t go away quickly – you should immediately consult a healthcare professional.
Early signs of squamous cancer can include:
A more advanced squamous cell carcinoma will appear with more pronounced symptoms that may include:
It’s important to understand that anyone can get squamous cell carcinoma. However, there are specific causes and risk factors that can increase your likelihood of developing this type of cancer.
Key causes include:
As far as risk factors go, these elements can increase your chances of developing squamous cell carcinoma:
Immunosuppression: After organ transplant the drugs used to prevent rejection of the transplant can reduce immunity and SCC is more commonly seen in those individuals.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for 80% of non-melanoma skin cancer. Like squamous cell carcinoma, it is primarily caused by over-exposure to UV rays. However, this is pretty much where the similarities between these two cancer types end.
Basal cell carcinoma | Squamous cell carcinoma | |
Origin | The basal cells of the epidermis | The squamous cells of the epidermis |
Typical appearance | A pink or lavender bump surrounded by blood vessels | Dry, itchy, or scaly patches of skin |
Aggressiveness | Slower growth, doesn’t spread to other areas of the body | Grows and spreads quickly (if invasive), particularly in immunocompromised individuals |
Main risk factors | Over-exposure to ultraviolet rays, a genetic predisposition | Over-exposure to ultraviolet rays, a suppressed immune system |
Treatment approaches | Topical treatment, curettage and electrodesiccation, cryotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical excision, Mohs surgery | Topical treatment, curettage and electrodesiccation, cryotherapy, surgical excision, Mohs surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy |
Your dermatologist can suspect the diagnosis clinically and with the help of a dermatoscope (magnified light). To confirm the diagnosis, a small piece of the skin lesion (a biopsy) or the whole lesion (an excision biopsy) will be removed under local anaesthetic and sent to a pathologist to be examined under the microscope.
The appropriate squamous cell carcinoma treatment will depend on the severity of your condition. At Clinica London, you can get a variety of treatment options for both early-stage cases and more invasive squamous cell carcinoma.
Topical creams or solutions can be effective in early-stage squamous cell carcinoma when the tumour is still superficial. If that’s the case, the prescribed cream or gel is applied directly to the affected area of the skin, activating the immune system to attack the cancerous cells.
If the SCC hasn’t spread, the entire tumour can be removed surgically. A part of the surrounding tissue will also be removed in the process to make sure that all the cancerous cells are removed. The ultimate goal is to ensure there are no more cancerous cells in the skin. The remaining defect in the skin can be skillfully reconstructed by our surgeons. If occurring on the face or around the eyelids, the expert oculofacial plastic surgeons at Clinica will be your first port of call. They are highly trained oculoplastic surgeons who can both remove the SCC and carry out the delicate oculoplastic reconstruction.
The oculofacial plastic surgeons (also known as oculoplastic surgeons) work closely with dermatologists.
Mohs surgery is the best option for removing SCCs in functionally or cosmetically important areas. These areas include the face, ears, or genital region. With Mohs surgery, your tumour gets removed in stages. This approach allows the surgeon to only remove what must be removed and to confirm that all of the cancer cells are gone before proceeding to reconstruction of the defect. For cosmetically important areas, particularly around the eyes and face, it is important to choose a surgeon with special expertise in reconstructing these delicate areas.
At Clinica London, we have expert oculofacial plastic surgeons who are highly experienced in the reconstruction of facial defects following both simple excision and after Mohs surgery SCC tumour removal. Choosing the right surgeon will allow you to have the best functional and cosmetic results.
The Dermatologists carry out the Mohs surgery, usually in a central hospital with the appropriate laboratory, and then the dermatologists carry out the Mohs reconstruction, together with the oculofacial surgeons (according to which part of the body is involved), at Clinica London.
Sometimes, surgery isn’t an option. The patient might be in poor health or the tumour might be hard to remove surgically. Whatever the case, radiation therapy can help. This therapy uses high-energy beams that target and destroy cancer cells. The good news is that it doesn’t require you to go under anaesthesia or be cut in any way. However, you might have to come in for several sessions spread over weeks.
Advanced squamous cell carcinoma is quite dangerous and challenging to treat. That’s why these cases call for more systematic treatment approaches – chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Both options involve administering drugs to the patient. In chemotherapy, these drugs aim to slow the growth of cancer cells or outright kill them. As for immunotherapy, they encourage the body’s own immune system to fight the cancer.
These treatment options also have the longest recovery times and the highest number of potential side effects.
But regardless of the treatment option(s) used, you mustn’t neglect regular follow-up care. If you’ve developed SCC once, you can easily do it again. That’s why it’s important to stay vigilant about your skin health.
When it comes to squamous cell carcinoma survival rate, it’s exceptionally high. Between 95% and 98% of all SCC cases will be cured if they’re treated early. This cancer becomes more high-risk when it spreads to other parts of the body. That’s why it’s important for it to be detected in its earlier stages.
The good news about the squamous cell carcinoma is that it’s highly preventable. With proper sun protection and regular skin check-ups, you can reduce your risk of developing this cancer or at least detect it early.
Proper sun protection refers to:
As for regular skin check-ups, you should first do them yourself. This means thoroughly examining yourself from head to toe at least once a month. If you find suspicious spots or sores, seek immediate medical advice. However, even if you don’t, seeing a dermatologist for a professional skin exam annually is a good idea. Of course, this exam becomes a must for those who’ve already had either SCC or other forms of skin cancer.
Slight changes on your skin can be a normal occurrence. However, if your skin persistently changes texture or colour or can’t seem to heal after a few weeks, it’s time to see the oculofacial surgeon if the area affected is around the eyelids, on the face, in the scalp or on the neck. Usually, if the area affected is on the trunk, limbs or hands, one of our dermatologists is preferred. As mentioned, early detection will make all the difference in your squamous cell carcinoma prognosis.
Reducing the risk of SCC is all about taking care of your skin health. The same goes for your behaviour before a squamous cell carcinoma treatment. This includes avoiding direct sun exposure and maintaining a healthy skincare routine. Most importantly, you should refrain from attempting any self-treatment, such as using unprescribed creams.
After your squamous cell carcinoma treatment, you need to heal properly. To do so, you’ll again have to avoid sun exposure. You’ll also need to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for wound care and follow-up appointments. Besides healing relatively quickly, this approach will help you prevent complications and reduce the risk of recurrence.
At Clinica London, our dedicated team of dermatology consultants bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to provide you with the highest standard of care.
Our Dermatology Consultants are here to support you or your child with a variety of skin-related conditions, combining their medical expertise together with a commitment to personalised care. Contact us to make an appointment and thus take the first step towards healthier more comfortable skin.
Our clinic operates as a private surgery and is not affiliated with the NHS (National Health Service)
Early symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma are red patches, scaly areas, and sores that don’t heal.
Several methods can be used to treat squamous cell carcinoma. They range from topical treatments, cryotherapy, chemotherapy and surgical excision, depending on the tumour’s severity.
Yes, untreated squamous cell carcinoma can spread to deeper tissues, lymph nodes, and distant organs. If this happens, the tumour becomes more high-risk and requires more intensive treatment.
Early-stage squamous cell carcinoma has a survival rate of up to 98%.
SCC is typically more aggressive than basal cell carcinoma. The latter grows slower and doesn’t tend to spread.
Clinica London is a leading ophthalmology and dermatology medical clinic. It has a sense of passion for helping patients. The clinic’s consultants are highly skilled professionals who have received British, European, and international awards in their respective fields. Clinica is honest and offers transparent treatment advice in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
Telephone: 020 7935 7990
International Callers : +44 20 7935 7990
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