These mutated cells spread superficially and cause the appearance of the skin to change.
When the mutated cells penetrate the dermis, the risk of metastasis increases.
There may be a thick, adherent scale on a red, inflamed base.
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Normally a scab will significantly heal within 2 weeks.
However, SCC does not heal and may intermittently bleed.
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Diagnosis
The only way to diagnose SCC is tobiopsysuspicious-looking lesions.
Depending on the extent of the lesion, another biopsy option is to excise the lesion.
Useful information such as whether the complete tumor was removed and tumor depth can only be obtained by biopsy.
Treatment
Treatment options for this skin cancerdepend on information gleaned from the biopsy.
Many times the diseased tissue can be differentiated from the normal tissue by the texture felt while scraping.
This process is repeated several times to ensure complete removal of the skin cancer.
However, it tends to leave a scar.
Simple excision- This procedure involves surgical excision of the skin cancer including a margin of normal skin.
The advantage of this treatment is that it is quick and inexpensive.
However, the difference between normal and cancerous tissue must be judged with the naked eye.
Mohs micrographic surgery- This procedure must be performed by an experienced Mohs surgeon.
It involves excision of the skin cancer and immediate examination of the tissue under the microscope to determine margins.
If any residual skin cancer is left, it can be mapped out and excised immediately.
The process of excision and examination of margins may have to be repeated several times.
The disadvantage is the time and expense involved.
Radiation therapy- This procedure involves a course of radiation therapy to the tumor area.
It can also have the long-term effects of scarring, ulceration, and thinning of the skin.
Cryosurgery - This procedure involves destroying the tissue by freezing it with liquid nitrogen.
This may be effective for small, well-defined superficial skin cancers.
It is also used effectively for the treatment of actinic keratosis, a premalignant condition.
This procedure is inexpensive and time-efficient but can only be used in a small number of cases.
Prevention
There are several recommendations to help prevent skin cancer.
This is especially important for children.
Avoid tobacco products - This includes cigars, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and snuff.
Avoid polycyclic hydrocarbons - Jobs that require contact with these compounds are highly regulated.
Use protective gear at all times while working with these compounds.
Have suspicious lesions checked out - If you have a question, get it checked out.
Treating premalignant lesions prevents their transformation to potentially metastatic skin cancer.
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