Squamous cells are in the epidermis, or topmost layer of skin, and they lay just beneath the outer skin surface. Most cases of squamous cell carcinoma develop when the DNA in the cells becomes damaged by exposure to the ultraviolet radiation of the sun or commercial tanning beds, according to the MayoClinic.com website. Treatments may include surgery, freezing, laser therapy and radiation.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
In Mohs micrographic surgery, a doctor uses a scalpel to remove the tumor itself plus a thin layer of tissue surrounding it. The surrounding layer of tissue is examined under a microscope and if cancer cells are present, another layer of tissue is removed. This process continues until the excised layer of surrounding tissue is free of cancer cells, explains The Skin Cancer Foundation. This treatment for squamous cell carcinoma has a better cure rate and preserves more healthy tissue than any other treatment. It is often used on recurrent cancers, tumors that are not clearly defined, and tumors that are located in critical areas around the eyes, nose, lips, ears, neck, hands and feet. After the doctor has completely removed the cancer, patients may elect to let the wound heal on its own, or they may decide to have plastic surgery to minimize possible scarring.
Cryosurgery
According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, cryosurgery is a method in which a doctor destroys the squamous cell cancer tissue by freezing it with liquid nitrogen applied using a cotton-tipped applicator or spray device. The procedure does not involve cutting and there is no bleeding. It is a good option for patients who have bleeding problems, and for cases involving only a superficial tumor. After the treatment, the site of the cancer becomes red and swollen. There may also be blistering and crusting, and eventually a scab forms and peels away.
Curettage and Electrodesiccation
For patients who have small, superficial squamous cell carcinomas with a well-defined shape, the technique of curettage and electrodesiccation is an appropriate treatment, notes the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In this method, a doctor first uses a curette, which is a spoon-shaped instrument with a sharp edge, to scrape out the cancerous tissue, and then an electric needle to close blood vessels and kill cancer cells at the periphery of the lesion. The procedure is carried out under local anesthesia.
Radiation Therapy
In the case of older patients who may not be able to tolerate surgery, radiation therapy is a good option. In this treatment, high energy X-rays are aimed at the squamous cell tumor and delivered in small doses over the course of three to four weeks. This type of treatment regimen minimizes burning of the skin, so that the patient gets a good cosmetic result. Radiation is also useful for tumors that have a high risk of recurrence.
