Skin Cancer Service - Plymouth Hospitals

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Plymouth Hospital NHS Trust Skin Cancer Service Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) What is a squamous cell carcinoma? Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. They are slow growing, red, scaly, irregular lesions that can bleed easily and fail to heal within 4-6 weeks. If left untreated they can spread to other parts of the body. What are the causes? Prolonged exposure to sunlight is the cause of almost all squamous cell carcinomas. They occur most frequently on exposed parts of the body such as the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders and back. Rarely, SCCs can develop on non-exposed areas of the body. Anyone with a history of frequent sun exposure and repeated sunburn are high risk and also people who have fair skin, light hair, and blue, green, or grey eyes. How are they treated? Squamous cell carcinoma can be treated by minor surgery under a local or general anaesthetic. Treatment depends on the size and position of the SCC and can involve:- Currettage: For very small SCCs this is a very effective treatment. Under a local anaesthetic your doctor can simply scrape the lesion away from your skin. This might leave a small scar. Surgery: Most SCCs can be cut out and this is often the best treatment. This allows the tissue to be tested by a pathologist to confirm the diagnosis and check that it has been completely removed. Occasionally excision is not complete or the margin is narrow necessitating further treatment. Cutting the SCC out means that Sqaumous Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer Service
Plymouth Hospital NHS Trust Skin Cancer Service the hole left behind may require a skin graft (see leaflet on “skin grafts”). SCCs that are large (greater than 2cm in diameter) or thick, have a higher risk of spreading to other parts of the body. If the SCC spreads to the local lymph glands (there may be a lump in the groin, armpit or neck) then surgical removal of all the glands in that area will be required. See leaflet “how to check your lymph nodes”. Radiotherapy: Treating SCCs with a very short and localised course of radiotherapy has been shown to be as effective in curing SCCs. In some patients this may be the best option. Follow up Patients with small, low risk SCCs may be discharged back to their GP after removal. Patients with more aggressive tumours are followed up regularly every 3-6 months in out patients for up to five years. Your doctor will decide how often your follow up will be. Telephone numbers for follow-up appointments: Dermatology 01752 439936 Plastic Surgery 01752 439937/431184 Oncology 01752 763994 Sqaumous Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer Service
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Skin Cancer Service - Plymouth Hospitals

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