Squamous Cell Carcinoma Surgery

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Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is a type of skin cancer that forms in the middle and outer layer of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma can be quite aggressive, though usually not life threatening. Left untreated, however, it can grow in size and spread to other parts of the body, leading to serious complications. Squamous cell carcinomas can form anywhere in the body where there are squamous cells. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is specific to cancer that develops in squamous cells within the skin.

The sooner squamous cell carcinoma is caught and treated, the less disfigurement and complications there are. At TMSC, we carefully excise the lesion with appropriate margins and send it for pathology analysis.

Squamous cell carcinoma. Surgery for skin lesions and minor hand conditions at Toronto Minor Surgery Center (TMSC).
Squamous cell carcinoma symptoms. Surgery for skin lesions and minor hand conditions at Toronto Minor Surgery Center (TMSC).

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Symptoms

Squamous cell carcinomas are usually found on sun-exposed skin, such as the face, ears, neck, lips, and backs of hands. They can, however, be found elsewhere in the body where squamous cells exist. Symptoms include:

  • Firm, red nodules
  • Flat sore with a scaly crust
  • New sore or raised area on an old scar or skin sore
  • Rough or scaly red patches
  • Might crust or bleed
  • Open sores (which may include oozing or crusted areas) that don’t heal, or that come back after healing
  • Red sore or rough patch inside the mouth
  • Rough, scaly patch on the lip that may evolve into an open sore
  • Wart-like growths
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Most squamous cell carcinomas develop as a result of long term exposure to UV rays from the sun or from tanning lamps & tanning beds. However, it can develop anywhere in your body where squamous cells are found, adding to evidence that UV rays are not the sole cause of squamous cell carcinoma.

Other risk factors include:

  • Radiation therapy
  • Extremely fair skin and/or the tendency to burn easily
  • History of sunburns
  • History of precancerous skin lesions
  • Weakened immune system
  • Rare genetic disorders such as xeroderma pigmentosum

The cancer occurs due to changes (mutations) in the DNA of squamous cells, many of which can be found in the middle and outer layers of the skin. These changes lead to out of control growth of the squamous cells and cause the cells to continue living when normally they would die and get replaced.

Squamous cell carcinoma causes. Surgery for skin lesions and minor hand conditions at Toronto Minor Surgery Center (TMSC).
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Book a Free Consultation
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Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treatment

At TMSC, we carefully excise the squamous cell carcinoma lesion with appropriate margins and send it for pathology analysis.

Leaving squamous cell carcinoma untreated can lead it to become disfiguring and dangerous; it can destroy nearby healthy tissue, spread to the lymph nodes or other organs, and in rare cases can become fatal.

Our surgeons are highly trained and experienced professionals who care deeply about their patients. Rest assured all of our procedures are carried out with the utmost care, precision, regard for aesthetics, and in a safe environment.

Treatment of squamous cell carcinoma is covered by OHIP.

Squamous cell carcinoma treatment. Surgery for skin lesions and minor hand conditions at Toronto Minor Surgery Center (TMSC).
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Book a Free Consultation
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No referral needed
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