Early treatment essential for skin cancer outcomes

Squamous cell carcinoma is one skin cancer in which early detection and prompt treatment can make a major difference in New York patient outcomes and results. When it is fully removed, this type can almost always be cured at an early stage. However, if even a small part of the squamous cell cancer remains behind, it can metastasize to lymph nodes and other tissues and organs in the body, causing more severe cancers and even death.

A physician can study a sample of a suspicious skin growth or mole under a microscope to conduct a biopsy and determine a diagnosis. If cancerous cells are found, treatment for squamous cell carcinoma is urgent. However, there are several types of treatment that can be used, based on the patient's age and health as well as the size and location of the tumor.

Most squamous cell treatments can be performed in a doctor's office on an outpatient basis. One of the most well-regarded treatment is Mohs micrographic surgery, in which a physician removes the visible tumor along with a thin layer of surrounding tissue. The tissue is checked for remaining cancer and then repeated until the microscope shows a cancer-free image. This procedure is designed to spare healthy skin and has the highest overall cure rate for squamous cell carcinoma. Other types of treatment include excisional surgery, curretage and electrosurgery, cryosurgery, radiation and photodynamic therapy.

A delayed diagnosis can have severe health consequences. This is especially true in the case of misread test results that lead to untreated cancer. A disease like squamous cell skin cancer, with high cure rates, could instead become fatal. In some cases, a doctor who failed to detect cancer could be found financially responsible for the harm that was suffered through a lawsuit filed with the assistance of a medical malpractice attorney.