Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Eric Wilkerson offers a wide variety of treatment options for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The cells on the upper layers of your skin are made up of squamous cells, and when they mutate or change, they can become squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). This is a common type of skin cancer that can easily be prevented by limiting sun exposure and taking proper precautions, such as applying sunscreen or wearing protective clothing. SCC is also known as a type of metastatic cancer, which means it can spread to other areas of the body if left untreated. If you have a wart-like blemish on your skin that is flaky, itching, or bleeds when touched, then we encourage you to schedule a skin exam at Fort Lauderdale Dermatology in Fort Lauderdale, FL as soon as possible.

On average, squamous cell carcinoma is caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tanning beds. However, other causes may be from long-term exposure to hazardous materials, like certain insecticides or arsenic. If you spend a lot of time in direct sunlight without using protection, such as sunblocks or sun hats, it can increase your chances of attaining skin cancer. This is especially true if you habitually tan outdoors or in a tanning bed. There is no such thing as a "safe" tan, and proper precautions should be taken to protect your skin so you can still enjoy time outdoors.

SCCs are skin growths that can appear on the face, scalp, ears, lips, arms, or legs. SCCs can arise as rough, thick or firm nodules. They often originate as actinic keratosis (AKs), which are crusty scaly patches of skin. The most common types of symptoms are pain, bleeding, and itchiness. If you have a mole or suspicious blemish that has changed in size, color, or shape, call Fort Lauderdale Dermatology immediately to schedule a skin exam.

At Fort Lauderdale Dermatology, Dr. Wilkerson offers several treatment options for SCCs, including:

• Surgical excision: This is a common treatment that is used to remove skin cancer with a scalpel. Dr. Wilkerson makes horizontal cuts to excise the growth and surrounding tissue.
• Electrodesiccation and curettage (ED&C): This is a nonsurgical procedure that utilizes a scraping and heating technique to remove small cancerous lesions. This can also be performed to remove unwanted moles or noncancerous nodules.
• Mohs surgery: This is a skin cancer removal surgery that removes cancerous tissue one layer at a time with a precise shaving method. The skin is shaved until the remaining tissue is tested and deemed non-malignant.
• Topical chemotherapy: This is a medicated cream or ointment that can be applied to the target area. The type of formula and treatment regimen will vary from patient to patient.

Skilled dermatologist Dr. Eric Wilkerson has treated countless men and women with squamous cell carcinoma. Fort Lauderdale Dermatology also offers many treatment options to remove cancerous skin lesions. SCCs should be treated right away as they can spread to other areas of the body very quickly. Call our office in Fort Lauderdale, FL to schedule a skin screening with Dr. Wilkerson today.