Skin Cancer and Precancer in Orange County

Treatments for Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• The first step is to establish the correct diagnosis by performing a biopsy of the lesion. The procedure involves: Numbing the skin with an injectable anesthetic.
• Sampling a small piece of skin by using a flexible razor blade, a scalpel, or a tiny cookie cutter (called a “punch biopsy”). If a punch biopsy is taken, a suture (stitches) or two may be placed and will need to be removed 6 to 14 days later.
• Having the skin sample examined under the microscope by a specially trained physician

If caught early and treated appropriately, squamous cell carcinomas generally have a good prognosis.

Treatment of a biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma depends upon many factors, including its microscopic appearance, its size and depth, its location on the face or body, and the general health of the patient. In general, the following treatment options exist for squamous cell carcinoma:

• Cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen: Very cold liquid nitrogen is sprayed on the lesion, freezing it and destroying it in the process. This is a good option for low-risk squamous cell carcinomas.
• Electrodesiccation and curettage: (also known as “scrape and burn”) After numbing the lesion, the doctor uses a curette to “scrape” the skin cancer cells away, followed by an electric needle to “burn,” or cauterize, the tissue. The electrodesiccation helps to kill the cancer cells and also to staunch any bleeding of the site. This is a good option for low-risk squamous cell carcinomas.
• Excision: The squamous cell carcinoma is cut out with a scalpel, and stitches are usually placed to bring the wound edges together. This is a good option for low-risk and some high-risk squamous cell carcinomas.
• Mohs micrographic surgery: In this technique, the physician takes tiny slivers of skin from the cancer site until it is completely removed. This technique is particularly useful for high-risk squamous cell carcinomas and for lesions located on the nose, the ears, the lips, and the hands.
• Radiation treatment: X-ray therapy is often useful for patients who are not good surgical candidates because of other health issues.
• Chemotherapy creams.

Rarely, the squamous cell carcinoma may spread internally (metastasize). Squamous cell carcinomas that develop in scars, on the lip, and on the ear have the highest risk of spreading. Lymph nodes may need to be examined for the presence of SCC. If internal spread is suspected, referral to an oncologist (a physician specializing in cancer treatment) for possible chemotherapy or other treatments would be appropriate.

Finally, it is important to remember that treatment of squamous cell carcinoma is not complete once the skin cancer has been removed. Frequent follow-up appointments with a dermatologist or with a physician trained to examine the skin are essential to ensure that the SCC has not recurred and that a new skin cancer has not developed.

Malignant Melanoma (MM)

Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous and life-threatening skin cancer of all, killing nearly 7,000 Americans each year. MM has a great potential to spread to other parts of the body. Certain moles have the tendency to change their appearance and turn into MM. Because of its severity, it is important that MM is detected as early as possible to increase the survival rates.

First Warning Signs of a Malignant Melanoma

Melanoma masquerades as innocent skin growths or moles. They can look like a mole, bump or growth on the skin. It can appear anywhere on the body. In men, melanoma is found most often on the chest, stomach or back, and in women it is found most often on the legs. Beware of any development of a multicolored mole with jagged uneven borders or any other change in size, shape or color. Unlike the other skin cancers, these can occur on any part of the body.

Non Cancerous and Precancerous Lesions

Sometimes there are abnormal skin areas and lesions that are not yet skin cancer. Since these skin lesions have the potential to turn into skin cancer, they are called precancerous lesions. This precancerous condition is called Actinic Keratosis.

Actinic Keratosis (AK)

Actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin disease that is often associated with Squamous cell carcinoma. It nearly always occurs in areas that are frequently exposed to the sun. Actinic keratosis looks like a harmless rough scaly skin patch, but it can turn into skin cancer. This is why it is important to pay attention to your skin and treat actinic keratosis so that it does not turn into cancer.

Who’s at most risk for skin cancer?

It is most commonly seen in elderly and light-skinned patients with a large amount of sun exposure. Risk factors for the development of squamous cell carcinoma include:

• Fair skin, light hair, or light eyes
• Age over 50 years
• Chronic exposure to sunlight or other ultraviolet light
• Previous skin cancer
• Male sex
• Exposure to certain chemicals, such as arsenic or tar
• Exposure to radiation, such as X-ray treatment for internal cancers
• Long-term suppression of the immune system, such as organ transplant recipients
• Long-term presence of scars, such as from a gasoline burn
• Chronic ulcers
• Darker-skinned people are much less likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma, thought to be the most common form of skin cancer in people of African and Asian descent.

How can I help avoid getting skin cancer?

• Seek Shade: Shade is not only the ideal place to go in the heat of the midday sun, but one of the safest places to be for your skin.
• Wear protective gear: If you know you’re going to be spending time in the sun, there are some things you can take along to protect your skin and eyes. UV protective sunglasses, a long sleeve cover and of course, sunscreen or sunblock
• Use sunscreen every day: A little bit of cream, spray, or gel can save your skin.
• Antioxidants and lasers are newer methods of preventing skin cancer.
• Keep kids out of the sun: children are in more danger than any other group when in the sun. Therefore they need special protection. Infants need shade and a hat.
• Self Exam: The effective way to catch cancer before it catches you, is to discover it early. Take advantage of the fact that your skin is the most visible organ of the body and check it regularly.
• Follow up: If you have had skin cancer or precancerous lesions in the past you need to take special care and visit a dermatologist regularly.

Visit Us for Skin Cancer and Precancer Checks in Orange County

You’ll enjoy a relaxing visit to our office where you can ask questions, meet our staff, take a tour of our office and surgical suite and view additional photo results of our patients.

Your consultation assessment is with a Natural Image OC provider. Fees and procedure preparations are discussed with our patient care coordinator, who will detail the experience with you.

Contact Dr. Sikorski if you believe you may have any of these skin cancer conditions. Schedule a consultation with Natural Image OC by calling today.