Squamous cell skin cancer

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Bowen's disease on the hand	Cheilitis, actinic	Keratoacanthoma	Keratoacanthoma
Skin cancer, squamous cell - close-up	Skin cancer, squamous cell on the hands	Squamous cell cancer	Squamous cell carcinoma - invasive

Cancer - skin - squamous cell; Skin cancer - squamous cell

Skin cancer has a high cure rate if it is treated early. Treatment depends on how big the tumor is, its location, and how much it has spread (metastasis).

Surgery to remove the tumor is often recommended. Microscopic shaving (Mohs' surgery) may be used to remove small tumors. Skin grafting may be needed if wide areas of skin are removed.

Radiation therapy may help reduce tumor size. Chemotherapy can be used if surgery and radiation fail, but it usually does not work very well for squamous cell cancer.

Most (95%) of squamous cell tumors may be cured if removed promptly. New tumors may develop, so affected individuals should be diligent about examining the skin. Regular examination by the health care provider is usually required.

• Local spread of the tumor
• Metastasis to other locations, including the internal organs

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if any change in color, size, texture, or appearance of a skin lesion develops. Also call if there is pain, inflammation, bleeding, or itching of an existing skin lesion.

Review Date: 02/12/2007
Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.