Understanding Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- At age 54, Texas resident Sara Vanden Berge learned she had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) after initially brushing off an itchy bump on her forearm as a simple bug bite.
- Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. It forms in squamous cells just beneath the skin’s outer surface, typically indicated by hard, red bumps or scaling flat lesions. It can also present as an ulcer or induration that bleeds. While SCC often grows slowly, it’s more likely to spread to other tissues and organs, so it cannot be taken lightly.
- Berge admits to tanning often in the sun and putting baby oil on her skin when she was younger. Our experts recommend using safer alternatives, like spray tans or sunless tanning lotions, to achieve a bronze look.
- For all types of skin cancer, early detection is key.
Sharing her story with Beneath The Surface News, Berge admits that “hearing the ‘c’ word at the age of 54 was a heart-stopper, but thankfully, it was caught early and was very treatable.”
Read MoreNoting how she had been dealing with her mom’s health worsening, and her passing, as well as her older son’s wedding, she admitted “it was easy to ignore the bump that continued to grow and had become sore to the touch.”
Berge described the mass as a “flesh-colored, hard nodule that didn’t look menacing, so I put off getting it checked out.”
However, in April 2025, she suspected it could be skin cancer, as her dad has a history of the disease.
After some Google searches, Berge chose to see a dermatologist and had a biopsy taken. In May, she learned it was squamous cell carcinoma, but it was found at an early stage.
She ultimately had the cancer removed via a “simple procedure,” said, Berge, who recalls that she used to sunbath with baby oil on her body when she was younger.
Now, about a year after her diagnosis, she has opened up about how life has been after her diagnosis and what changes she’s since made.
Berge told Beneath The Surface News, ”
Much has changed for me since last year’s diagnosis, “I am now at risk for re-occurrence, so I am doing everything possible to avoid it. Wearing medical-grade sunscreen every day is a non-negotiable.
“I still enjoy my early morning walks, but I do it with a hat, oversized sunglasses and light-weight, long sleeve shirt with UV protection. Baking in the sun for a natural tan is out of the picture; the only golden glow I get these days comes from a bottle.”
Expert Skin Cancer Resources
- Examining Your Skin for Melanoma: Remember ABCDE
- Treatment For Basal Cell Carcinoma: Mohs Surgery Removes This Skin Cancer With Smaller Incisions and More Certainty
- 5 Celebrities Who Have Battled & Survived Skin Cancer; Protect the Skin You’re In
- A 17% Decreased Risk of Skin Cancer Just By Eating More Cantaloupes, Carrots, and Sweet Potatoes
She concluded, “I also keep a close eye on changes to my skin (mosquito bites terrorize me), and I will soon make an appointment for my annual checkup.”
Berge, who insists she hasn’t let the cancer diagnosis “steal” her joy in life, advised, “If it can happen to me, it can happen to you, so take precautions.
“Wear sunscreen. Limit sun exposure. And if you see anything suspicious that doesn’t go away, don’t wait to have it checked out.”
All About Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is a type of skin cancer that arises from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the squamous cells. These cells are located in the outer layers of the skin and also line various organs and tracts within the body. SCC is a prevalent form of skin cancer, ranking as the second most common type after basal cell carcinoma.
This cancer typically develops in areas of the body that receive frequent sun exposure, such as the face, ears, neck, lips, and the backs of the hands. However, it can also appear in less exposed areas, including the inside of the mouth, the soles of the feet, and the genital region. It’s important to note that SCC can affect individuals regardless of their sun exposure habits.
What You Need to Know About Skin Cancer
While SCC is generally not life-threatening, it can be aggressive in certain cases. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body and causing serious health complications.
Treatment Options for Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Following a diagnosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), a range of treatment options are available. The choice of treatment depends on various factors, including the size and location of the cancer, whether it has spread, and your overall health. Here’s an overview of the current treatment guidelines for SCC:
1. Surgery: Surgery is often the primary treatment for SCC, especially for localized tumors. The type of surgery depends on the tumor’s size and location:
- Mohs Surgery: This is particularly indicated for SCCs located in areas where preserving cosmetic appearance and function is important, such as on the face. It’s also used for recurrent cancers or those with poorly defined edges. Mohs surgery allows for the removal of all cancerous cells while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible.
- Simple Excision: This is often the first-line treatment for small, well-defined SCCs in non-critical areas. It involves removing the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue to ensure all cancerous cells are excised.
2. Radiation Therapy: This uses high-energy X-rays to target cancer cell DNA and is typically used in situations where surgery isn’t possible due to the tumor’s size or location or for patients who are not good candidates for surgery due to other health issues. It’s also used as an adjunct therapy after surgical removal of larger or more aggressive SCCs to ensure any remaining cancer cells are destroyed.
3. Topical Treatments: These are used for very early-stage SCCs or actinic keratoses (pre-cancerous skin lesions). They are most effective for superficial lesions that have not invaded deeper layers of the skin.
4. Systemic Therapy: In advanced SCC, treatments that affect the whole body may be necessary. This includes:
- Chemotherapy: This is generally reserved for advanced SCC that has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body and cannot be treated effectively with surgery or radiation.
- Targeted Therapy: These drugs are used for advanced SCC, particularly when the cancer has specific genetic mutations that can be targeted by these therapies.
- Immunotherapy: This is a newer form of treatment that’s showing promise for advanced or metastatic SCC, especially for tumors that are resistant to other forms of treatment. It works by boosting the body’s immune system to fight the cancer cells.
5. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): PDT is used for treating superficial or thin SCCs, especially in patients who have multiple lesions or who cannot undergo surgery.
6. Cryosurgery: This method is suitable for small, superficial SCCs, particularly in older patients or those with multiple lesions where more invasive surgery might not be ideal.
7. Clinical Trials: These are an option for patients with advanced SCC, especially when standard treatments have not been effective. Clinical trials offer access to new therapies that are still in the research phase.
Each of these treatments is chosen based on the individual patient’s situation, including the size, location, and aggressiveness of the SCC, as well as the patient’s overall health and preferences. It’s important to have a detailed discussion with your healthcare team to understand which treatment or combination of treatments is best suited for your specific case of SCC.
The Dangers of Unsafe Tanning
Although Berge didn’t mention using indoor tanning beds, we’d like to point out that according to the FDA, indoor tanning beds emit a type of UV ray, and UV exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer. (The sun also emits UV rays)
The National Center for Biotechnology Information published a 2011 study by Yale Cancer Center researchers examining indoor tanning and the risk of early-onset basal cell carcinoma. It concluded tanning beds were a “strong risk factor.
The study’s researchers said young people who tanned indoors had a 69% increased risk of early-onset BCC.
Indoor tanning was strikingly common in our study of young skin cancer patients, especially in women, which may partially explain why 70% of early-onset BCCs occur in females, a researcher Susan T. Mayne said to Yale Daily News.
Meanwhile, the American Academy of Dermatology says that just one indoor tanning session can increase the risk of melanoma by 20% and squamous cell carcinoma by 67%.
A study published recently in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, suggests that banning tanning beds among minors would prevent thousands of cases of melanoma in adolescents and save millions of dollars in healthcare costs.
Studies have shown that exposure to tanning beds increases the risk of skin cancer and ocular cancer, says Dr. Lynn A. Cornelius, chief of the Division of Dermatology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, which also induces changes that lead to premature skin aging. There is no tanning bed.
Dr. Cornelius recommends spray tans and sunless tanning lotions as safer alternatives to tanning beds. While everyone should take precautions not to inhale the product when getting a spray tan, allergic reactions are rare, he said.
Examining Your Skin for Melanoma: Remember ABCDE
Leading Experts Urge Patients to Be Proactive
As we highlight in several areas of SurvivorNet, highly respected doctors sometimes disagree on the right course of treatment for an ailment, and advances in medicine are always creating new options. Also, in some instances the specific course of treatment is not clear cut.
That’s even more reason why understanding the potential approaches to your disease is crucial.
Cancer Research Legend Urges Patients to Get Multiple Opinions
Furthermore, getting another opinion may also help you avoid doctor biases. For example, when seeking care for cancer, some surgeons may have an affiliation with a radiation center.
“So there may be a conflict of interest if you present to a surgeon that is recommending radiation because there is some ownership of that type of facility,” Dr. Jim Hu, director of robotic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet.
Other reasons to get a second opinion include:
- To see a doctor who has more experience treating your type of disease
- You have a rare disease
- There are several ways to treat your illness
- You feel like your doctor isn’t listening to you, or isn’t giving you good advice
- You have trouble understanding your doctor
- You don’t like the treatment your doctor is recommending, or you’re worried about its possible side effects
- Your insurance company wants you to get another medical opinion
Bottom line, being proactive about your health could be a matter of life or death. Learn as much as you can from as many experts as you can, so that you know that you did your best to take control of your health.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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