How do I know if I have got a squamous cell carcinoma?

What does squamous cell carcinoma look like? An SCC can vary in its appearance. But usually, does it appear initially as a scaly or crusty raised area of skin. It is quite superficial, red and has an inflamed base.  Sometimes SCC’s can be sore and tender and bleed, but this is not always the case.  They can even ulcerate.
SCC can occur on any part of the body. But they are much more common on sun-exposed sites. Such as the head, ears, neck, backs of the hands and front of the legs. How do I know if I have got a squamous cell carcinoma? If you have a scaly raised skin lesion as above, you should see your dermatology consultant.  Your GP can refer you.  Dr Jennifer Crawley is the dermatologist here at Clinica London.  For her to confirm the diagnosis, she will have to take a small incisional biopsy of the abnormal skin. It might be the case, that she needs to take out the whole area, as an excisional biopsy. Which is done as a day case, under a local anaesthetic. After that, the specimen sent to the pathologist to be examined under the microscope.  The results are usually available within a week.
She will then tell you on how to cure this squamous cell carcinoma. The vast majority of SCC’s are low risk skin cancers and curable. There’s the risk a small number will recur and will spread ( metastasise) to a lymph node, or another part of the body again. Especially if you are immunosuppressed because of drugs or illness. Treatment of Squamous Cell CarcinomaTreatment of squamous cell carcinoma is usually by surgical excision. Which is removing the lesion with a small amount of normal margin of skin around it. It takes place under a local anaesthetic. Who is using fine little stitches to close the skin, or, if it is a large lesion, a skin graft can be needed. Sometimes other surgical methods, such as curetting and cautery work. Where the SCC is scraped away from the skin under a local anaesthetic.  For advanced SCC, of course, a combination of treatments may be used.