A squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) skin cancer is a kind of skin cancer that may result from a long term sun damage or exposure to
ultra-violet rays
to the skin. SCC skin cancer spreads progressively and also has the capacity to spread to tissues close to the affected area such as the eye. The cancer can also spread to distant parts of the person if it is not treated in time.
The right and the only way to make sure if a
skin swelling
is cancerous is to go for a biopsy. This process involves removal of a small piece of the skin. Thereafter a pathologist analyzes it under a microscope in a medical laboratory.
Remember that a biopsy is not a process to remove cancer. It only takes off the tip of the cancer.
In some cases the skin can heal subsequent to the biopsy as it grows over the cancer. However, this doesn't mean that the cancer is removed completely. Here, the cancer is only covered by a blanket of skin. In this case, the cancer is not removed fully, it can grow deeper into the skin and even metastasize to the internal organs of the person resulting in death.
SCC skin cancer is known to be one of the most common forms of skin cancer. It is shocking but true, over 25,000 new cases are reported in a year in the United States alone. The cancer originates from the squamous cells that are most of the portion of the upper layer of the skin.
All examples of SCC skin cancer are not serious. If detected early and treated promptly, one can clearly survive this disease. However, if not treated correctly, the disease can be really hard to treat and can even result in disfigurement.
There are several causes of the origination of SCC skin cancer. Some of these include the following:
1. Frequent and long exposure to harmful sun rays. This result in severe skin damage and may ultimately develop into squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer.
2. The damage to the skin carried out by sun is the responsible element for development of this kind of cancer. The face is most exposed to the sun and the cancer spreads to other parts of the body.
3. Light and pale skinned persons have a greater risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer.
4. People who have already had cancer are said to develop more.
Chronic exposure to the sun is the main cause of this type of cancer. The tumor invades body facets such as the face, neck, bald scalp, hands, shoulders, arms and back are most exposed to the sun. Lower lip and the rim of the ear are other exposed parts to these cancers.
Squamous cell carcinoma
skin cancer
may additionally increase due to certain types of injury such as scars, burns, long pre-existing sores, ones exposed to X-rays or other harmful chemicals, like arsenic of by-products of petroleum.
Reduced immunity is also one of the main reasons for the spread of this type of cancer.
Detect and treat early to prevent possible damage and promote recovery.