Read up on Skin cancer (squamous cell) treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Skin cancer (squamous cell)

Key points about treatments

Squamous cell skin cancer often starts as a crusted lump on your skin. You can get it anywhere, but most people get it on parts of their body that have been in the sun a lot.

Squamous cell skin cancer isn't the most serious type of skin cancer (that's melanoma). But it can spread if it isn't treated.

Key points about preventing and treating squamous cell skin cancer

You can protect yourself and your family from squamous cell skin cancer by getting less sun. To find out more, see Staying safe in the sun.
Daily use of a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 reduces your chance of getting sun-damaged skin and of getting squamous cell skin cancer.
If you have squamous cell skin cancer, you'll need surgery to remove it. To find out more, see Surgery for squamous cell skin cancer.
For most people, surgery is the only treatment they'll need.
Your doctor might recommend having radiation therapy after surgery to make sure any cancer cells that were left behind are killed.

This information was last updated on Apr 14, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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