Concerned about skin cancer?

 Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a type of skin cancer that often develops as a result of cumulative sun exposure over a lifetime, particularly in people with fair skin. It tends to occur on areas regularly exposed to sunlight, such as the face, arms, or lower legs.

SCC typically presents as a lump on the skin that develops over a few months and can be sore or tender to touch. In some cases, the skin may break down, forming an ulcer with raised edges, and bleeding is also common.

If you're concerned about a possible squamous cell carcinoma, it's important to seek a dermatology consultation promptly, as SCC can occasionally spread if left untreated. A Consultant Dermatologist can assess the lesion using a dermatoscope for accurate diagnosis, and discuss appropriate treatment options, including surgical removal if necessary.

Dr Wernham diagnoses and treats squamous cell carcinoma in Sutton Coldfield and Stafford

 Treatment for squamous cell carcinoma may involve one or more of the following approaches:

• Biopsy — A biopsy may first be carried out to confirm the diagnosis. This involves taking a small sample from the lesion and sending it for urgent analysis under the microscope by a histopathologist.
• Excision — In some cases, your dermatologist will advise proceeding straight to excision, where the lesion is removed along with a margin of surrounding tissue to help ensure complete removal. The skin is then closed with stitches. In most cases, this results in a linear scar roughly three times the length of the lesion removed. The sample is sent for urgent analysis, and you will be informed of the result as soon as it's available.
• Radiotherapy — Radiotherapy may also be considered. This is a painless treatment using targeted radiation to treat the lesion, usually requiring multiple visits to complete the full course. It's not generally considered first-line treatment, as there is a higher risk of recurrence compared with surgery, although it is still often successful. Radiotherapy may be recommended if surgery isn't suitable for you, or if it's your personal preference.
• Post-surgical radiotherapy — In some cases, you may be advised to have radiotherapy after surgery, particularly if the margins are close or if certain high-risk features are present that increase the chance of recurrence.

Dr Wernham offers assessment and treatment for squamous cell carcinoma, including biopsy and surgical excision, in Sutton Coldfield and Stafford.

 In most cases, once a squamous cell carcinoma has been removed, it does not cause any further problems.

The risk of SCC returning at the scar site, or spreading to nearby lymph nodes, depends on the specific features seen under the microscope. You will be told whether your SCC is low risk (unlikely to recur) or high risk (a higher chance of recurrence).

If the lesion has any higher-risk features, you may be advised to have your skin and lymph glands monitored over a 2–3 year period. At each appointment, your dermatologist will examine any areas of concern and check for signs of recurrence.

You will be given contact details for your Consultant or Skin Cancer Nurse Specialist, so you can get in touch with any questions or concerns between appointments.

Dr Wernham provides follow-up monitoring for squamous cell carcinoma in Sutton Coldfield and Stafford.