Treating Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell skin cancer is a type of nonmelanoma skin cancer. It usually occurs in places that are exposed to the sun, like the face, ears, hands and arms. It will most often affect adults over 40. The sun’s ultraviolet and infrared rays are largely responsible for skin cancer, as they penetrate the skin’s DNA and impair it. After years of such damage, skin cancers may develop.

People who have light complexions, are exposed to UV rays regularly, have suffered from serious sunburns in their lifetime, had numerous x-rays and senior citizens are most subject to coming down with squamous cell skin cancer.

Signs of the cancer usually first appear as a raised, red bump on the skin with a rough texture. There’s usually a crusting ulcer in the center. Individuals should also be on the look for any change to any existing warts or moles as that too can also be a sign of squamous skin cancer.

The good news about squamous cell cancer is that it’s very treatable. In fact Mohs micrographic surgery offers a cure rate of 99% for untreated cancer, and keeps the amount of normal tissue loss to a minimum. In this procedure the doctor excises the cancer at its root and looks at it under the microscope to make sure that all of the cancer and any roots from the tumor are removed. This way, the surgery only removes diseased tissue and leaves healthy tissue in place.

Mohs surgery is the most effective way of removing squamous cell carcinoma and limits scarring or permanent disfigurement for the patient.

Dr. Taheri and Dr. Abaza are one of the foremost experts in the field of mohs micrographic surgery, having performed thousands of surgeries with outstanding outcomes.