| SolveYourProblem
Article Series: Skin Cancer
Help Me Understand Skin Cancer
Squamous
Cell Carcinomas (Skin Cancer)
- Causes, Symptoms, Treatments
The second most common type of skin cancer
is called squamous cell carcinoma. It concerns the older cells
that have been pushed to the surface of the epidermis by the
continuous healthy growth of basal cells deep within the skin.
This type of skin cancer is the result
of some damage occurring to the underlying skin cells and
slowly a lump or tumor will
develop right under the skin. It seems to happen most often
on the face, perhaps near the lower lip, on the ears, or on
the hands. It can manifest itself as a bump that is thickened,
scaly, red, or crusty. It could resemble a wart. If it occurs
on the rim of the ear or the lip it seems to become more aggressive
in its growth.
This also seems to be a cancer that affects more men than
women and occurs more often with individuals who are fair-skinned
and who are older that sixty years of age. However, it can
affect anyone who lives in a warmer climate or whose work and/or
play keep them outdoors in the sun a great deal. However, for
some reason it is a cancer that tends to be less invasive if
it is found on skin that is sun-damaged by sun exposure than
if it is found on a part of the body that does not normally
get the same exposure to the sun.
The causes of squamous cell carcinoma can include such carcinogenic
sources such as: the accumulated lifetime exposure to the suns
harmful rays, a reaction to treatments for psoriasis that includes
using Psoralen or Ultraviolet A radiation, exposure to radiation
from radiotherapy, chemicals such as arsenic, the human papilloma
virus, and smoking.
Some genetic factors can also play a role in causing squamous
cell carcinoma if the individual inherits the DNA defect called
xeroderma pigmentosa wherein the cells have difficulty repairing
themselves. Or they have very little pigment coloring such
as in albinism that leaves them extremely sensitive to the
sun.
Other problem areas are if a person has wounds from an injury
or other thermal type burn that refuses to heal well, or if
they are more vulnerable due to taking anti-rejection drugs
after a transplant and their immune system is greatly lowered.
As with basal cell carcinoma this cancer is treated according
to the location, size and grade of the tumor or lesion. The
age and health of the patient is also considered. The treatment
consists basically of surgical options. Simple excision may
be used if the area is small and has not spread.
If the carcinoma is larger, on or near sensitive areas such
as an eyelid, has been left untreated for a long time, or is
in danger of recurring the doctor may opt to use what is called
the Moh's Technique which means that he will slowly remove
the lesion or tumor by slicing it in layers. He or she will
do this until they are certain to have gotten all the tumor
and they have reached healthy tissue.
At times the physician may feel that radiation is needed to
be certain that any surrounding cancer cells are killed or
it may be necessary if the lymph nodes are at risk. It may
also help with larger tumors and be a replacement for surgery
if the patient is unable or unwilling to accept it.
In some cases where the cancer may have spread to other parts
of the body it will be necessary to include chemotherapy to
kill the radical cells.
# # # # #
by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2009
> Home > Skin
Cancer Articles : Main Page
|
