Squamous Cell Carcinoma
We understand that receiving a diagnosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) can be worrying. That’s why this page is here to provide you with helpful information about the condition and the available treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
SCC is the second most common type of skin cancer, usually beginning in later life. SCCs appear on exposed sites such as the face (especially the lip and ear), hands, arms and lower legs in women. Rarely, SCCs can occur in longstanding leg ulcers and scars.
They occur most commonly in fair skinned people (blue eyes, red hair, freckles and a tendency to burn in the sun).
People who have lived or worked abroad in a sunny place or who work outdoors or enjoy outdoor hobbies are most at risk.
SCC may develop as thickenings within areas of sun damage, initially as scaly patches and later becoming thick and fleshy. They may also appear as ulcers or crusted lumps in previously normal skin. They grow quickly over weeks or months, damaging local tissue. The majority are cured by treatment.
Rarely, if they are large, neglected, or grow on the lip or ear, they may spread to the lymph glands and therefore be hazardous to health. These would be felt as hard swellings of the lymph glands near to where the SCC had been.
How are they diagnosed?
SCCs are diagnosed by their appearance. The diagnosis may also be confirmed by removing part or the whole lesion and sending it to a pathologist to examine under a microscope.
What are the treatment options?
SCCs are usually treated by surgery under a local anaesthetic. Sometimes they are treated by X-ray therapy alone or in addition to surgery.
Follow-up
It is wise to have the treated area and the associated lymph glands checked every three months or so to make sure that the SCC is not coming back. This may be done by a nurse or doctor at the dermatology department, or your GP. The length of your follow-up will depend on the results of your biopsy.