Squamous skin cancer treatment: what to know

A clinician examines the lesion and may remove a sample or the whole growth for pathology. The report can describe how deeply the tumour extends and whether its edges are clear. Treatment also reflects the site, because a lesion near the eye, nose, ear, lip, hand or a nerve may need especially careful planning. Tumours that return, grow deeply or involve nearby structures may need more than one treatment approach. Nearby lymph nodes may be examined when the clinical features suggest spread. A skin lesion does not identify its own diagnosis from appearance alone.

Ask which procedure is planned, how the wound will be closed and when pathology results will be discussed. Tumour removal surgery physically removes the growth and may leave a wound that needs dressings or reconstruction. Radiotherapy may be considered when surgery is unsuitable, incomplete or likely to cause difficult damage in a sensitive location. Immunotherapy can be used for selected advanced cases and works through the immune system. Protect treated skin from friction and sun as advised, avoid picking a healing area and attend follow-up visits so new or returning changes can be assessed.

Contact the treatment team for spreading redness, increasing warmth, pus, worsening pain, wound separation or bleeding that does not settle with pressure. During immunotherapy, promptly report new breathlessness, severe diarrhoea, marked weakness, rash with swelling or changes in vision. Emergency help is appropriate for severe breathing difficulty, facial swelling or uncontrolled bleeding.

What did the pathology report show? Are the edges clear? Why is this treatment suitable for the location and risk features? Will I need reconstruction or radiotherapy? How should I care for the treated skin? How often should the area and nearby skin be checked?