Skin Cancer & Treatment Options
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer. It too is more commonly found on fair-skinned people. Like Basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas are directly caused by sun damage and appear on sun damaged skin (ears, face, lips, mouth, hands, arms, legs, as well as anywhere on the body). Suamous cell carcinomas can develop into large masses and become invasive. Unlike basal cell carcinomas, this form of cancer can metastasize (spread to other parts of the body). Therefore it is important to not allow the cancer to go untreated.
Treatment
Dr. Green & Dr. Chaplik use many different treatment options and tailor it to each and every case depending on the depth of the cancer, the location, and sometimes based on the patient’s needs. Some of the more common dermatologic surgical treatment options that the doctors perform as well as recommend include surgical excision, electrodessication and curettage (also known as ED&C) which involves alternately scraping or burning the tumor with low levels or electricity, and Mohs micrographic surgery (a specialized procedure which is used to remove the whole tumor while spaing as much normal skin as possible – usually for skin cancers on the eyelids, ears, nose, and lips).
When found early and treated properly, Dr. Green & Dr. Chaplik have a cure rate of greater than 95%.