Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are the two most common types of skin cancers. The good news is both are very curable when diagnosed quickly, and early treatment can help you avoid disfigurement or other complications.
What Is Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)?
Basal cell carcinoma is the single most common type of skin cancer, and it is an uncontrolled lesion or growth of the skin’s basal cells, which line the deep layer of the epidermis. Basal cell carcinoma may resemble red patches, pink growths, scars, shiny bumps on the skin or even open sores.
The best way to avoid basal cell carcinoma is avoiding excessive sun exposure and tanning, using a broad spectrum sunscreen, covering up with clothing and having a skin exam every year.
Possible Treatment Options in Orange County
BCC rarely spreads or becomes life-threatening, but it can be disfiguring without treatment. Once a diagnosis is confirmed by a dermatologist, one of several removal methods will be used. BCC can be treated with currettage for very small lesions, although Mohs micrographic surgery is most common. This procedure involves removing very thin layers of tissue around the growth and examining the tissue under a microscope. The physician will continue removing thin layers of tissue until the excised tissue is cancer-free.
Other treatment methods may include radiation, excision, cryosurgery, and laser surgery.
What to Know About Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma, the second-most common type of skin cancer, is an uncontrolled growth of cells in the squamous cells, which make up the epidermis layer of the skin. This type of skin cancer often resembles scaly red patches, warts, elevated growths with a depression, or open sores. SCC can occur on any area of the body, but it is most common in areas that receive a lot of sun exposure, such as the scalp, arms, legs, neck and face.
If untreated, SCC can be fatal. About 700,000 cases are diagnosed in the United States every year, with between 4,000 and 8,800 fatalities each year.
The most common cause of squamous cell carcinoma is the cumulative effect of UV exposure. Daily exposure to the sun’s rays, as well as intense summer exposure and particularly tanning bed use, contribute to SCC.
Treating SCC in Orange County
The best way to avoid squamous cell carcinoma is using sunscreen daily and avoiding tanning beds. SCC is almost always curable when detected early. A dermatologist will examine the tissue under a microscope and then recommend the best treatment option. Mohs micrographic surgery involves the use of a scalpel to remove the tumor and a thin layer of surrounding tissue. This treatment spares the healthiest tissue and has a cure rate of 94% to 99%.
Other treatment methods may also be recommended, such as cryosurgery, radiation, and laser surgery.