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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffMost squamous cell carcinomas can be completely removed with relatively minor surgery or occasionally with a topical medication. The type of squamous cell carcinoma treatment usually depends on the size, location and aggressiveness of the tumor and may include one or more of the following:
- Freezing. This involves removing cancerous cells by freezing them with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery). It's effective for small squamous cell carcinomas, but isn't recommended for larger tumors or those on your nose, ears or eyelids.
- Simple excision. In this procedure, your doctor cuts out the cancerous tissue and a surrounding margin of healthy skin. Your doctor may recommend a wide excision — removing additional normal skin around the tumor — in some cases. To minimize scarring, especially on your face, consult a doctor skilled in skin reconstruction.
- Laser therapy. An intense beam of light vaporizes growths, usually with little damage to surrounding tissue and with a reduced risk of bleeding, swelling and scarring. Lasers are often used to treat superficial carcinomas on the lips.
- Mohs surgery. This is often considered the most effective treatment for squamous cell carcinomas, especially those that are larger than 2 centimeters, have recurred, or are located on the face, mucous membranes or genital area. During the procedure, your doctor removes the tumor layer by layer, examining each layer under the microscope until no abnormal cells remain. This allows the entire growth to be removed without taking an excessive amount of surrounding healthy skin. Because it requires particular expertise, Mohs surgery should only be performed by doctors specifically trained in the procedure.
- Radiation therapy. This may be an option for treating large cancers on the eyelids, lips and ears — areas that are difficult to treat surgically — or for tumors too deep to cut out.
- Chemotherapy. For very superficial cancers, creams or lotions containing anti-cancer agents may be applied directly to your skin. Some of these medications can cause severe inflammation and scarring, so be sure to discuss potential complications with your doctor.
References
- Wood GS, et al. Nonmelanoma skin cancers: Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/119479231-3/0/1709/83.html?tocnode=55017273&fromURL=83.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06694-8..50078-6--cesec29_2759. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Squamous cell carcinoma. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/SquamousCellCarcinoma.htm. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. National Cancer Institute. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Skin cancer prevention. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/skin/Patient/page2. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Detailed guide: Skin cancer - basal and squamous cell. American Cancer Society. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Ferri F. Squamous cell carcinoma. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/119479231-4/801716560/1417/447.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04836-1..50007-1--cesec44_620. Accessed Feb. 9, 2009.
- Urist MM, et al. Melanoma and cutaneous malignancies. In: Townsend CM, et al. Townsend: Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/119479231-5/0/1565/1.html?tocnode=54736195&fromURL=1.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3675-3..X5001-1--TOP_1. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Sunscreen. The Skin Cancer Foundation. http://www.skincancer.org/the-scfs-guide-to-sunscreens.html. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Arsenic toxicity exposure pathways. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/arsenic/exposure_pathways.html. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Ridky TW. Nonmelanoma skin cancer. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2007;57:484.
- Neoplasia. In: Kumar V, et al. Robbins and Cotran's Pathologic Basis of Disease. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/119515236-4/801835407/1249/66.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-0187-1..50011-0--cesec92_600. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Premalignant and malignant nonmelanoma skin tumors. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. New York, N.Y.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/119515236-5/0/1195/157.html?tocnode=51442435&fromURL=157.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50023-6_2588. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Common questions about diet and cancer. American Cancer Society. Accessed Feb. 6, 2009.
- Food Groups to Encourage. In: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 6th Edition. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office; 2005. http://www.health.gov/DietaryGuidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter5.htm. Accessed Feb 6, 2009.
