Squamous cell carcinoma treatment

A clinician first confirms what the lesion is and assesses its borders, depth, and surrounding skin. A small, accessible lesion may be removed with a margin of nearby tissue. Mohs Surgery can be considered when preserving healthy tissue matters or when the tumour is in a high-risk location. Other cases may need a different procedure, additional specialist care, or treatment beyond the skin. The plan also considers previous treatment, immune health, healing needs, and the patient's preferences.

Bring the biopsy report, medication list, allergy history, and details of earlier skin cancers to the consultation. Ask how the lesion will be removed, whether reconstruction is expected, and how long wound care may take. Surgical Excision and Skin Cancer Surgery are terms your team may use for removal procedures. Protect the area from further sun exposure, avoid picking it, and follow dressing instructions closely after treatment. Keep scheduled skin checks because a treated lesion and nearby skin both need observation.

Contact the treating clinic promptly for increasing redness, swelling, drainage, fever, wound separation, or pain that is worsening rather than settling. Seek urgent help for heavy bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure, breathing difficulty, or sudden facial swelling. Before treatment, seek prompt review for rapid growth, numbness, recurrent bleeding, or a lesion near the eye, nose, ear, or lip.

Ask what the biopsy shows, why a particular treatment is recommended, and what alternatives exist. Discuss expected scarring, sensation, movement, reconstruction, wound care, follow-up timing, and symptoms that should prompt an earlier review.