Squamous Cell Carcinoma

When we are talking about skin cancer we may not always realize that there are 3 different types of skin cancer, malignant melanoma being the most infamous as it is the most lethal of the skin cancers. There is also a skin cancer that usually burrows down into the skin around the eyes and nose called basal cell carcinoma and this is the most common skin cancer.

Now, let’s have a look at the third type of skin cancer.

This is the second most common skin cancer, with twenty percent of all patients diagnosed yearly with this type of skin cancer. That means nearly two hundred thousand Americans a year are found to have Squamous cell carcinoma.

The tumors common to SCC be inclined to stay on the skin, but sometimes they spread particularly, if they stay untreated. That’s when they are dangerous.

It begins as a small, but firm painless lump usually occurring on the lip, ear or back of the hand .

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Who are at Risk?

The people most highly at risk for Squamous cell carcinoma are, like most skin cancers, fair skinned blonds or red heads with blue, grey or green eyes. But also, this is the skin cancer that sixty six percent of all African Americans are more likely to have to take care of. Oddly their skin cancer is more likely to appear in the areas of old skin injuries. They also find them on the soles of their feet and the palms of their hands.

Although any person who has darker skin is less likely to have issues of sunburn, all people are at risk and should use sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor, the SPF , of fifteen. Though many dermatologists will suggest the sun protection factor of fifteen is adequate more of them will suggest to you that thirty is a better minimum.

If you observe all the incidents of skin cancer that are not melanoma, then this type of skin cancer accounts for around 20 percent of them while basal cell carcinoma account for the other 80 per cent. This should give you an idea of how likely you are to get this type of cancer. Skiiers and smokers are very likely to develop this form of skin cancer as well.

It is especially important for children and babies to stay out of direct sunlight as they have thinner skin as 50 per cent of skin damage happens to all of us before we reach the age of 18.

What Parts of Skin Affected with Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Similar to all skin cancers, this one is more likely to become visible on people who spend too much time in the unprotected ultra violet light of the sun. They appear on the upper torso, the face, hands, or neck and frequently on a man’s bald scalp. Oddly the outer edge of the ear and the lower lip are most at risk when it comes to spots that may develop Squamous cell carcinoma. This cancer also appears in areas of the skin that have previously suffered some sort of damage.

What is sinister about this form of skin cancer is that it has a tendency to spread to the lymph nodes and from there to the rest of the body. Spreading cancer cells via the lymphatic network in your body is never good news so whenever you see a growth like this anywhere on your body, definite to seek medical assistance straight away. Be very suspicious of anything like this appearing on your lip especially.

Signs of the Squamous Cell Carcinoma

It will grow quite rapidly and usually breaks down in the middle to form a crater. If your medical doctor talks about “ulceration” then they are talking about the formation of this crater.

The signs of this skin cancer are almost the same as for the basal cell carcinoma; open, non-healing sores, a crusted area, an inflammation that appears as a raised nodule. Any concerns and a person must see their health care provider immediately. This one can cross the line to dangerous very easily. This is a slow growing cancer, but once the area of the tumor is bigger than three quarters of an inch it is three times more likely to spread.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Precautions

Proper skin care and anti UV precautions are required so you can avoid the cancer in the first place. Other than taking the normal precautions of staying out of the sun, or using sunscreen when you’re in the sun, there are a few more things that can be done to lower a person’s risk of this type of skin cancer. One way to assist in the prevention of Squamous cell carcinoma on the lips or in the mouth is to stop smoking cigarettes. Don’t smoke cigars, cigarillos or use pipes and stop chewing that smokeless tobacco. Stopping the use of those items is a very important precautionary step.

People must discover that giving up a few pleasures can sometimes make a huge difference in their overall health for the future. Smoking and sunbathing seem worth giving up for a life of better health.

If people find it is as expected Squamous cell carcinoma then it is essential that you have it surgically removed immediately. This tumor can spread very quickly and if it spreads to other parts of the body it is very often deadly. Early detection and operation is the key to surviving this type of skin cancer.

So grab your hat, your sunscreen and your sun glasses and stay protected and out of the sun whenever you can. Your life depends on it.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis

Usually Squamous cell carcinoma has to be diagnosed with a biopsy which is a procedure where the doctors take a sample from the growth and then this sample is taken under a microscope where they examine it for the existence of cancer cells.