Squamous Cell
Squamous cell cancer is a very common type of skin cancer, and is generally seen in areas of chronic sun exposure such as the face, lips, chest, back of the hands, or lower legs. These may also appear on the scalp in areas that get UV damage. These skin cancers may appear as rough red areas that may bleed easily, be slow to heal, and may be tender. It is common for these areas of concern to mimic the appearance of benign growths, and are more common in those with suppressed immune systems such as organ transplant recipients.
When assessing and determining a diagnosis for her patients, Dr. Sherber looks for subtle abnormalities in the vascular it’s and pigment network through examination with dermoscopy.
As part of a skin check, Dr. Sherber ensures that her patients have a comprehensive treatment plan and thorough follow-up in the years following diagnosis. Following a squamous cell diagnosis, Dr. Sherber suggests that patients take a series of total body photographs to give a baseline to use against any future skin exam imaging. In combination with this treatment plan and progress imaging, ongoing use of a broad spectrum sun protection and regular total body skin examinations will be critically important.
Depending on the depth and size of the squamous cell cancer, Dr. Sherber may involve a Mohs surgeon, plastic surgeon, or oncologist as needed. Throughout the treatment process, patients will have extensive support from her team of top experts who prioritize the care of her patients and ensure that treatment is prompt and complete. Some variants of squamous cell cancer may have higher risk of invasion down the nerves, and so multidisciplinary care will be engaged to optimize outcomes as indicated for each patient.
For superficial variants, topical prescription treatment may be appropriate which can be applied to the area or areas diagnosed with squamous cell cancer. This has the advantage of being non-surgical and non-scarring.
For squamous cell cancers on the face, pre-treating the area of excision with laser and/or Botox may be advisable to optimize scar healing.