Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treatment
The second most common type of skin cancer, this carcinoma affects the skin cells that make up the outermost layer of the skin. It is most often found on the face, neck and arms.
What Is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer, behind basal cell carcinoma. It affects the skin’s squamous cells, which are the cells that make up the outermost layer of the skin. Once affected, the skin will begin to rapidly produce new cells, creating bumps, scaly patches and other unusual growths. Squamous cell carcinoma typically develops as a response to UV damage, such as that due to sun exposure or tanning bed use. As a result, it is most often found on the face, neck and arms. Although it is quite common, squamous cell carcinoma can still be serious and should be treated as soon as possible.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma FAQs
The Skin Cancer Surgical Center of Goodman Dermatology specializes in a range of skin cancer treatments. For squamous cell carcinoma, we offer superficial radiotherapy, surgical excision and Mohs surgery. The treatment that is best for you will depend on a variety of factors and will be determined during your initial consultation.
The goal of squamous cell carcinoma treatment is to remove the cancerous growth to prevent it from spreading. For minor cases, this can be achieved with superficial radiotherapy, which uses X-ray energy to comfortably kill cancer cells. This treatment is completely non-invasive, which is why is such a popular treatment option. For more serious cases, surgical techniques are usually required, but anesthetics will always be used for your comfort and safety.
The cost of your squamous cell carcinoma treatment will vary depending on the extent of treatment necessary, and may be covered by insurance. At Goodman Dermatology, we understand that each patient is unique and deserves a personalized treatment plan. We can provide a more accurate cost for treatment after we assess your treatment goals and develop your treatment plan. During your consultation, we will discuss your needs and come up with an exact cost. To make our treatments more affordable for our patients, we are proud to offer financing options through CareCredit.
The side effects from your squamous cell carcinoma treatment will depend on the treatment technique used. Superficial radiotherapy often only causes brief, minor side effects, which can include skin sensitivity and redness. For surgical techniques, patients may experience scarring, swelling, bruising or sensitivity in the treatment area. However, most side effects resolve within a few weeks of treatment.
The downtime from squamous cell carcinoma treatment is usually minimal, as you will be able to return to most activities immediately after treatment. However, you will need to take special care of the treatment area, which may require adjusting lifestyle habits such as bathing and exercise.
The goal of squamous cell carcinoma treatment is to eliminate skin cancer from the affected area. The success rate of this treatment will depend on your initial condition, but when treatment is started early, it is typically quite high. For some patients, multiple treatments may be necessary. During your consultation, we will discuss all of these factors so you know what to expect going into treatment.
Are you located in north metro Atlanta or North Georgia and seeking squamous cell carcinoma treatment? If so, contact us today to schedule your consultation and get started with your treatment at our Skin Cancer Surgical Center today.