Squamous Cell Carcinoma

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Squamous (SKWAY-mus) cell carcinoma or "SCC" is a slow growing type of skin cancer. Skin cancer occurs when cancer cells are found in the outer layers of the skin. The main cause of skin cancer is being out in the sun too much and too often. The most common warning sign is a sore that will not heal. At first you may see new bumps on your skin. Later in the disease, you may have skin ulcers (growths) that are itchy or painful. Treatments may include using radiation, or removing the cancer by freezing your skin (cryotherapy), using a laser, or having surgery. SCC can usually be cured when it is treated.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Some treatments for squamous cell carcinoma cause unpleasant side effects. You could get an infection or bleed too much if the cancer is removed with surgery. Your chances of keeping the cancer from spreading are better if you are treated. If the cancer is not treated, it can spread to other parts of your body. Once cancer spreads, it becomes more difficult to treat and other serious medical problems can develop. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your care or medicines.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

Blood tests:

You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.

IV:

An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.

Medicines:

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain.
  
  
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe to ask for your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling a caregiver when you want to get out of bed or if you need help.

Tests:

You may need a biopsy which means having a piece of the tumor or sore removed. The tissue is sent to a lab for tests to see if cancer cells are present. Once cancer cells are found, tests are done to find out what type of cancer it is and how much it has grown. These will help caregivers decide what treatment is appropriate for you.

Treatment options:

Your treatment may change if the cancer continues to grow. You may have one or more of the following treatments:

• Cryosurgery: During cryosurgery, a chemical called liquid nitrogen is put on the area to be removed. This freezes and kills the tissue. The dead tissue later falls off. Once the tissue thaws, the area may hurt and swell for a short time. You may need cryosurgery more than once.
  
  
• Excision surgery: This is a surgery to remove all or part of a tumor from the skin.
  
  
• Laser therapy: A narrow beam of light is used to kill the cancer cells.
  
  
• Mohs' surgery: This surgery removes only skin with cancer cells and as little healthy tissue as possible. Thin layers of the tumor are scraped off one at a time.
  
  
• Radiation: X-rays or gamma rays are used to treat cancer. Radiation kills cancer and keeps the cancer from spreading. It also keeps cancer cells from dividing into new cells, which is one way cancer spreads. Hard-to-treat areas, such as the eyelids, tip of the nose, or the ear may be treated with radiation.
  
  
• Skin grafting: This procedure is done to remove a thin piece of healthy skin from one part of the body. The healthy piece of skin is then put onto the injured part of the body. When a large or deep tumor is removed from the skin, a large wound and scar may occur. A skin graft can help close the wound or decrease the amount of scarring.
  
  
• Topical chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is often called "chemo". The word topical means it is put on the skin as a lotion or cream. This medicine is used to treat cancer that is in the outer layers of the skin. Topical chemotherapy is put on to kill cancer cells. While being treated, your skin may hurt and look very red.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Inpatient Care)