Does skin cancer surgery treat squamous cell carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin may look like a rough or scaly patch, a firm bump, or a sore that crusts or bleeds. A biopsy can confirm what the lesion is. When surgery is selected, the surgeon removes the growth with a planned border of nearby skin, then the tissue is examined to see whether the edges are clear.

The procedure depends on the tumour's size, depth, location, borders, and whether it has returned. A lesion on the face, around an opening, or in another cosmetically sensitive area may need margin-controlled surgery or careful reconstruction. Larger or higher-risk tumours may require coordinated specialist assessment.

Have a persistent rough, growing, tender, or bleeding lesion examined rather than treating it with home remedies. Tell the clinician about medicines that affect bleeding, allergies, previous skin cancers, and problems with wound healing. After removal, keep the site clean and covered as instructed, attend pathology follow-up, and protect the healing scar from strong sunlight.

Seek timely review for a sore that does not heal, a rapidly enlarging scaly growth, a thick tender lump, or a lesion that repeatedly bleeds. Following surgery, report fever, pus, spreading redness, worsening pain, wound separation, or persistent bleeding to the treating team.

Ask whether a biopsy is needed, which surgical method fits the lesion, how clear edges will be checked, how the wound will be repaired, and what follow-up is recommended after the pathology report.