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A common type of skin cancer that mostly begins when UV light from the sun damages the skin and causes a cancerous growth.
What is it?
This carcinoma originates in the squamous cells that constitute the mid and outer layers of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma is quite common and typically non-fatal. However, if left untreated, it can grow significantly in size and may even invade other body parts, inflicting damage to nerves, blood vessels and any other tissue in its path.
The main cause of squamous cell carcinoma is excessive ultraviolet light exposure, such as from the sun, tanning beds or lamps. The cancer often first appears as a solid lump or nodule on the skin. Warning signs may include a rough, red or scaly patch, a persistent open sore, a wart-like growth, or a sore that develops in an old scar. If a lump like this doesn't heal within two months or a nodule persists, it's time to visit a board-certified dermatologist.
We are here to help with diagnosis and treatment. Our offices are located in Batavia, Beavercreek, Bridgetown, Cincinnati, Dayton, Dent, Greenville, Hillsboro, Kettering, Mason, Montgomery, Oxford, Troy, West Chester and Wilmington, Ohio.
How is it treated?
To determine if your concern is cancerous, our team will start with a thorough exam. If the tissue has characteristics of a potential cancer, we'll take a small sample to study further in a lab. Under a microscope, dermatopathologists will determine if the cells are benign (non cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The lab will also diagnose the specific type of skin cancer.
Our board-certified dermatology provider then develops a custom treatment plan for you which might include options like surgical excision, Mohs surgery, immunotherapy, targeted drug therapy, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Early detection is vital to an effective treatment plan. Come see Dermatologists of Southwest Ohio if you have a suspicious lump, nodule or spot on your skin.