By blocking these weaknesses, targeted drug treatments can cause cancer cells to die. Targeted drug treatments focus on specific weaknesses present within cancer cells. If squamous cell carcinoma spreads to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body, chemotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as targeted drug therapy and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. When squamous cell carcinoma spreads to other parts of the body, drug treatments might be recommended, including:
YOUTUBE DOCTOR SQUISH SKIN
Treatments for skin cancer that spreads beyond the skin It might also be an option for people who can't undergo surgery. Radiation therapy is sometimes used after surgery when there is an increased risk that the cancer will return. Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells. This allows the surgeon to be certain the entire growth is removed and avoid taking an excessive amount of surrounding healthy skin. During Mohs surgery, your doctor removes the cancer layer by layer, examining each layer under the microscope until no abnormal cells remain. To minimize scarring, especially on your face, consult a doctor skilled in skin reconstruction. Your doctor may recommend removing additional normal skin around the tumor in some cases (wide excision). In this procedure, your doctor cuts out the cancerous tissue and a surrounding margin of healthy skin. More invasive treatments might be recommended for larger squamous cell carcinomas and those that extend deeper into the skin.
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Later, a light that destroys the skin cancer cells is shined on the area. During photodynamic therapy, a liquid drug that makes the cancer cells sensitive to light is applied to the skin. Photodynamic therapy combines photosensitizing drugs and light to treat superficial skin cancers. Freezing might be done after using a scraping instrument (curet) to remove the surface of the skin cancer. It may be an option for treating superficial skin lesions. This treatment involves freezing cancer cells with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery). Laser treatment may be an option for very superficial skin lesions. An intense beam of light vaporizes growths, usually with little damage to surrounding tissue and with a reduced risk of bleeding, swelling and scarring. This treatment is often used for small or very superficial squamous cell cancers of the skin. C and E treatment involves removing the surface of the skin cancer with a scraping instrument (curet) and then searing the base of the cancer with an electric needle. Curettage and electrodessication (C and E).If your skin cancer is very small and has a low risk of spreading, you might consider less invasive treatments, including:
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Which treatments are best for you depends on the size, location and aggressiveness of the tumor, as well as your own preferences. Most squamous cell carcinomas of the skin can be completely removed with relatively minor surgery or occasionally with a medicine applied to the skin.