Squamous cell carcinoma

Your doctor will first perform a physical exam and inspect any abnormal areas for signs of cSCC. They’ll also ask you about your medical history. If cSCC is suspected, your doctor may decide to take a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

A biopsy usually involves removing a very small portion of the affected skin. The skin sample is then sent to a laboratory for testing.

In some cases, your doctor may need to remove a larger part or all of the abnormal growth for testing. Talk with your doctor about any potential scarring or biopsy concerns.

After receiving treatment for cSCC, be sure to attend all follow-up visits with your doctor. It’s possible for the cancer to return, so it’s critical to check your skin for any signs of cancer or precancer at least once per month.

Most squamous cell carcinomas of the skin can be completely removed with relatively minor surgery or occasionally with a medicine applied to the skin. Which treatments are best for you depends on the size, location and aggressiveness of the tumor, as well as your own preferences.

Treatments for very small skin cancers

If your skin cancer is very small and has a low risk of spreading, you might consider less invasive treatments, including:

Curettage and electrodessication (C and E). C and E treatment involves removing the surface of the skin cancer with a scraping instrument (curet) and then searing the base of the cancer with an electric needle. This treatment is often used for small or very superficial squamous cell cancers of the skin.

Laser therapy. An intense beam of light vaporizes growths, usually with little damage to surrounding tissue and with a reduced risk of bleeding, swelling and scarring. Laser treatment may be an option for very superficial skin lesions.

Freezing. This treatment involves freezing cancer cells with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery). It may be an option for treating superficial skin lesions. Freezing might be done after using a scraping instrument (curet) to remove the surface of the skin cancer.

Photodynamic therapy. Photodynamic therapy combines photosensitizing drugs and light to treat superficial skin cancers. During photodynamic therapy, a liquid drug that makes the cancer cells sensitive to light is applied to the skin. Later, a light that destroys the skin cancer cells is shined on the area.