Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Services > Skin tumour > Squamous Cell Carcinomas

This is a more aggressive type of cancer which may spread mainly to the glands.



Risk factors


Endogenous: chronic wounds (decubitus, burns), dermatological blemishes considered to be pre-cancerous (leucoplasy)

Exogenous: exposure to the sun, ionizing rays, arsenic, hydrocarbons,....





Diagnosis


The marks occur mostly on parts of the body which are frequently exposed to the sun, such as face and neck.

They appear under the form of a little wound, a scab on the skin.

Self-examination improves early detection of these marks.

The diagnosis can be confirmed by a specialist who will examine head and neck by means of a dermoscope. A biopsy can confirm the diagnosis.





Treatment


Mainly surgical in combination with a microscopic investigation in the course of the surgery to confirm the complete eradication of the margins. (moh's technique and frozen sections examination)





Prevention


The increase in the number of new cases is due to life style and also partially due to the ageing of the population: excessive exposure to the sun.

Long-distance travel and open-air sports (golf, tennis,...)
UV-rays alter the genetic material in skin cells and so reduce the skin’s defence mechanism.

The mutated cells are no longer able to restore themselves.