Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common skin cancer typically on sun-exposed skin that can arise from the pre-cancers, actinic keratoses. Seeking treatment early for any unusual, painful, or non-healing site can prevent serious complications associated with skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, Patricia O'Connor, MD, and their team diagnose and treat squamous cell carcinoma by removing skin lesions with surgical techniques, including Mohs surgery, or other more conservative procedures, if appropriate. Call the nearest Richmond-area office today, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of skin cancer that develops in the middle or outer layers of the skin. While not usually life-threatening, this type of skin cancer can spread to other areas of your body and become dangerous, especially in sensitive areas like your ears and lips. Early detection and treatment are important. Mohs surgery, offered at Absolute Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center by Dr. William Gillen, MD, has a cure rate as high as 99% for some tumors.

What are the symptoms of Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Some signs and symptoms to watch out for that might indicate squamous cell carcinoma include:

  • A sore with scaly crusts
  • A red, firm nodule that develops quickly
  • Raised, red patches on sun-exposed skin
  • New sores
  • Scaly, rough skin patches
  • Raised areas on ulcers or scars
  • Rough patches or sores in your mouth
  • Wart-like sores on your genitals or anus

Squamous cell carcinoma often appears on areas of sun-exposed skin, including your lips, ears, hands, and scalp. However, this form of skin cancer can develop anywhere on your body. It can be the result of HPV infections in or around the genitals, anus, or mouth.

What are the risk factors for Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Some of the many risk factors associated with squamous cell carcinoma include:

  • Too much sun exposure
  • Tanning bed use
  • Fair skin
  • History of sunburn
  • Personal history of skin cancer
  • Actinic keratosis
  • Some genetic disorders
  • A weak immune system
  • History of HPV infection

While you can't always prevent squamous cell carcinoma, you can lower your risk by protecting your skin from the sun and seeking treatment for actinic keratoses, precancerous lesions. Use sunscreen year-round, wear protective clothing, avoiding tanning beds, examine your skin, and see a dermatologist regularly for skin cancer screenings.

How is Squamous Cell Carcinoma diagnosed?

When you visit the office of Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center, you and your specialist will talk about your personal and family history of skin cancer and other risk factors for skin cancer like your history of blistering sunburns, tanning bed use, or immunosuppression.

They examine your skin, use a tool called a dermatoscope to more closely evaluate lesions, and ultimately use a procedure called a skin biopsy to confirm your diagnosis. This procedure involves removing part or all of the concerning lesions for microscopic evaluation. After this, the team will develop a treatment plan with you based on the type and degree of involvement of your skin cancer.

How is Squamous Cell Carcinoma treated?

Your personalized squamous cell carcinoma treatment plan and prevention of future skin cancers might include surgical or non-invasive techniques or a combination of both. Treatment options include:

  • Freezing of actinic keratoses
  • Treatment of diffuse sun damage with photodynamic therapy and/or topical immune modulating creams
  • Curettage and electrodesiccation (ED & C)
  • Excision
  • Mohs surgery
  • Radiation therapy

If skin cancer spreads to other parts of your body, you may need systemic therapies to stop its progression that will be managed by an oncologist in a coordinated effort with your team at Absolute Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center.

Don't let squamous cell carcinoma go undetected and lead to dangerous complications. Schedule an appointment by phone or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

How can we help

Services

Service Offered: Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and can be dangerous if it's left untreated. Routine skin cancer screenings with one of our expert team members at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center located in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, ensure early detection and treatment to prevent complications. Call our office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Mohs Surgery
Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is a very safe and effective outpatient surgical procedure for removing certain types of skin cancer. This technique focuses on the complete removal of the skin cancer with a cure rate as high as 98-99% depending on the cancer type, size, and location. Our Mohs surgeons, William Gillen and Shields Callahan, MD at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center are fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons located in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. Using a microscope to examine the margins, they can be very precise in determining when the cancer has been removed, thus preserving normal surrounding tissues and allowing the smallest possible surgical wound.

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Service Offered: Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common skin cancer typically on sun-exposed skin that can arise from the pre-cancers, actinic keratoses. Seeking treatment early for any unusual, painful, or non-healing site can prevent serious complications associated with skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, Patricia O’Connor, MD, and their team diagnose and treat squamous cell carcinoma by removing skin lesions with surgical techniques, including Mohs surgery, or other more conservative procedures, if appropriate. Call the nearest Richmond-area office today, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, and Patricia O’Connor, MD, offer treatment for this type of cancer that usually appears as a bump or pinkish patch of skin. If you suspect you have basal cell carcinoma or any form of skin cancer, contact the office right away to set up an appointment. Call either Richmond-area office to speak with a team member or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Melanoma
Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that kills thousands of people each year. William Gillen, MD, Patricia O'Connor, MD, and the team of professionals at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, are committed to finding and diagnosing melanoma at its earliest stages which is crucial for treatment. In these early stages, treatment can be done in our office. When necessary, our skilled providers are experienced in developing interdisciplinary treatment plans. Above all, they are dedicated to educating their patients on skin cancer prevention. Schedule your skin cancer screening today by calling the nearest Richmond-area office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Skin Disorders
Skin Disorders

Skin disorders can look unsightly, be embarrassing, or in some cases, indicate skin cancer. At Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, William Gillen, MD, Patricia O’Connor, MD, and their experienced team treat lumps, bumps, and rashes in patients of all ages. Call either Richmond-area office to schedule an appointment or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Injectables
Injectables

If you want to rejuvenate your appearance by minimizing facial wrinkles and fine lines, then injectables may be right for you. Patricia O'Connor, MD, and Eliza Hester PA-C at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center provide high-quality injectables and customized plans for their patients in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. Schedule an injectables consultation today by calling either Richmond-area office, or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Psoriasis
Psoriasis

Roughly 7.4 million people in the United States are bothered by psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin, joints, and less commonly the cardiovascular system. If you have psoriasis, schedule a visit with a member of our general dermatology team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia. A group of well-versed providers in the variety of treatment options available for psoriasis and will develop a plan to help you find relief from your condition. Booking an appointment is easy. Simply call the nearest Richmond-area office or send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Service Offered: Eczema
Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that causes reddened and scaling skin and uncomfortable itching. Occasionally, this broken skin can become infected leading to pain and oozing. Our team at Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Glen Allen and Chesterfield, Virginia, can help you manage eczematous conditions so you can live as normal and healthy of a life as possible and prevent the flares and infections associated with a broken skin barrier. Call either of the Richmond-area offices today to schedule your appointment and get relief from symptoms or, send us a message to book an appointment on our contact page.

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Absolute Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center