The cancer of squamous cells that are found in the middle and outer layer of skin is called squamous cell carcinoma. The condition is not life-threatening but if left untreated, it can spread and cause serious complications.
A major cause for such an issue is extended exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Usually more exposed body parts such as the face, scalp, hands, ears, and lips are more prone to this problem. To address and treat the squamous cell carcinoma, the specialist needs to analyze the shape and depth of the lesion. If it is small and superficial, the specialist can perform curettage and electro-desiccation, laser therapy, freezing, and/or photodynamic therapy. In severe cases where penetration is deep, the specialist has to do a simple excision, Moh’s surgery, and radiation therapy in order to address the problem successfully. In cases where caner is spread to other organs, the treatment process requires chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy.
The specialists required for such a treatment are dermatologists, head and neck surgeons, oral maxillofacial surgeons, medical oncologists, and surgical oncologists. The survival rate for squamous cell carcinoma depends on good prognosis and therefore, an early detection and followed by a thorough treatment leads to a 95% five-year survival rate.
