Squamous Cell Skin Cancer

Squamous Cell Skin Cancer is the Second Most Common Type of Cancer

Squamous cell skin cancer is second only to basal cell cancer in frequency.  It is a highly curable form of skin cancer.  Up to 95 percent of people with this type of skin cancer survive the cancer and are cured.  Five % are caught too late; squamous cell skin cancer can metastasize or travel to other body areas.

This can be deadly.

Squamous cell skin cancer is one of the types of skin cancer that is worsened by sun exposure.  It is also worsened by tanning beds. And skin cancer like this is often on exposed areas of the body.

The skin cancer signs of squamous cell skin cancer include a dry, scaly patch of skin.  It can grow deep beneath the skin.  It can erode into the skin, causing bleeding of the skin.

Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Definition

Squamous cell skin cancer happens when skin cells begin to change.  The changes often occur in skin that has already been damaged by sun or chemicals or x-rays.  It is usually seen in those older than the age of 50.  If it is found in situ (very small) and localized, it is called Bowen’s disease.  It looks like red and scaly tissue.

An actinic keratosis is a precancerous lesion that can turn into cancer.  It usually turns into a squamous cell cancer.  It can be frozen off with cryotherapy in order to make sure it doesn’t turn into cancer.  It must be watched even if it has been frozen off.

Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Can Reoccur

If you have had a squamous cell skin cancer, you have a high chance of having another.    It can especially reoccur in the same area it was in before.  It can show up nearby where another skin cancer used to be.  This is because these are areas that have received similar sun damage.

The sun damage to the skin is irreversible.  You can get a new squamous cell skin cancer within two years of having surgery to remove the first cancer.  It can even reoccur when it has been expertly removed the first time.

It is particularly important to watch the same site over the years to make sure it hasn’t developed new cancer. Look for the skin cancer signs of increased scaliness or, in the case of basal cell cancer, a dome shaped lesion.

Squamous cell skin cancer is likely to show up on the ears, nose, and lips.  These are areas that are prone to getting recurrences of squamous cell skin cancer.

You should follow up with your doctor if you are prone to sun burn.  Your doctor will check your skin to make sure that it isn’t showing early skin cancer signs, like actinic keratoses.  An actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin lesion that can turn into skin cancer.

Ways to Prevent Recurrences of Squamous Cell Skin Cancer

If you have had squamous cell skin cancer, there are ways to protect your skin from further damage.  You need to stay in the shade between 10 am and 4 pm.  You should wear sun block and should never burn.  Tanning beds and skin cancer go together so you should stay out of tanning beds.

You should wear clothing that covers up your body, including a broad brimmed hat and sunglasses that block UV light.  You should wear a sunscreen with a SPF formula of 15 or more each day.  Put on every two hours or after swimming.

Examine your body for squamous cell skin cancer every month.  You should see your doctor every year to have a professional examine your skin.   Know the skin cancer types so you know the skin cancer signs of each one.

Know your Risk for Squamous Cell Skin Cancer

You need to know if your body is at risk for the various skin cancer types.   You are at higher risk if you have light-colored skin, blonde or red hair or blue/green eyes.  If you work outside in the sunshine or are out in the sun every day, you are at higher risk.

If you had several bad sunburns in your early life, you should watch yourself carefully for cancer.  If you are older, you are at a high skin cancer risk.  If you have had a lot of x-rays, you can get skin cancer from that.  If you were exposed to arsenic, you can get skin cancer.  Any severe chemical exposure can lead to subsequent cancer.

Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Tests

Your doctor can look at your skin and will be suspicious of skin cancer if he or she sees it.  The doctor will do a biopsy of the skin, which is a skin sampling.  The biopsy can tell if the skin cancer is squamous cell skin cancer or if it is another kind of cancer.

The biopsy will be looked at under a microscope.  The doctor can see how deep the cancer is and whether or not the margins of the cancer have been removed.  If not, more tumor needs to be removed so the skin margins are clear.

Dr. Christine Traxler

4 4 2010