What is squamous cell carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a type of skin cancer that affects the outer layer of the skin. It is the second most common type of skin cancer in the UK. Most people treated for SCC are completely cured with simple treatment. Usually squamous cell carcinomas are slow-growing and only spread to other parts of the body if they are left untreated for a long time. Occasionally though, they can behave more aggressively and spread at a relatively early stage.
What causes a squamous cell carcinoma?
The usual cause is too much exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun or other sources. This can cause the cells in the outer layer of the skin to change. These changed cells can then become damaged and develop into a squamous cell carcinoma.
Who is most likely to develop a squamous cell carcinoma?
- People who are more susceptible to sunburn.
- People who have lived in countries near the equator.
- Outdoor workers, such as builders or farmers.
- Older people who have had a lifetime of frequent sun exposure.
- Immunosuppressed individuals (people with reduced immune systems) due to medical treatment or diseases which affect the immune system.
- Patients who have had an organ transplant and treatment required to suppress their immune system to prevent organ rejection.
- People with skin conditions such as albinism and xeroderma pigmentosum.
What does a squamous cell carcinoma look like?
SCCs often look like scaly red patches, open sores, elevated growths with a central depression, or warts. They may crust or bleed. They can become painful and disfiguring if allowed to grow. They can appear on any part of the body, but are more common on sun exposed areas such as the head, ears, neck, and backs of hands.
Can squamous cell carcinoma be cured?
The majority of SCCs can be cured. A small number can come back locally and/or spread to the lymph nodes or to other parts of the body.
How is a squamous cell carcinoma treated?
Surgery is usually the recommended treatment. This involves removing the lesion with a margin of normal skin around it, usually using local anaesthetic. The skin is then closed with some stitches or sometimes a skin graft is needed.
Radiotherapy can also be used to treat SCC. This involves using X-rays. Usually this is over several sessions, some patients only need 1 session. This will be discussed with the team looking after you.
For advanced SCC, a combination of treatments may be used. If it has spread to other parts of the body, then surgery, radiotherapy and/or systemic anti-cancer treatment may be used.
Self-examination
It is very important to examine your skin on a regular basis. You need to look out for any new lesions and lesions that are increasing in size or have a change in appearance or lesions that do not heal as expected and form a recurrent scab.
Prevention
Protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation in strong sunlight by:
- avoiding exposure to the sun
- covering up with loose-fitting but closely woven clothes
- wearing a wide brimmed hat and protective sunglasses
- using high SPF sunscreen (SPF50 or more). Use a sunscreen that protects against UVB and a 4 or 5 star UVA protection rating. Apply plenty of sun cream 15 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun. Re-apply every 2 hours and straight after swimming and towel drying.
- avoiding sunbeds.
Contacts
If you require any further information, please contact the skin cancer clinical nurse specialists on 0161 918 7587.