Expert skin cancer treatment from a specialist plastic surgeon
Duncan Lowe is a highly experienced plastic surgeon and Clinical Director at Glasgow Skin Specialists.
Dr Lowe has significant experience in treating skin cancer. In his NHS practice, he sees and treats almost a thousand skin cancers each year.
What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)?
Squamous cell carcinomas, or SCC, are another form of non-melanoma skin cancer. They tend to grow more quickly than Basal Cell Carcinomas, over weeks to months, are more likely to ulcerate and often produce a crust. SCCs should always be removed promptly, and doing so will reduce the risk of needing further treatment. The vast majority of SCCs can be treated with a single surgical operation, but you may be offered a period of clinical follow-up, depending on the pathological findings. Occasionally, further treatment is required, in the form of further surgery, or treatment with an oncologist, such as radiotherapy or systemic anti-cancer medication.
Signs and Symptoms of SCC
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Scaly, crusted or rough patch that may feel raised or hardened
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Non-healing sore that bleeds, scabs, or fails to improve over weeks
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Firm lump with a red, inflamed base, sometimes tender to touch
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Ulcerated lesion that may grow rapidly or develop a central crater.
Risk Factors & Who is Most at Risk?
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Sun Exposure
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Fair Skin or Light Features
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History of Sunburn
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Age
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Family or Personal History of Skin Cancer
SCC Treatment - what to expect:
1 / Consultation
When you attend for your consultation, you will be seen by a specialist dermatologist or plastic surgeon, who will take a short medical history from you and some photographs of the lesion for your medical records. They will discuss with you your options for treatment, which may include topical treatment with a cream, a sample of the lesion to obtain a diagnosis (incisional biopsy), or a full removal of the skin cancer under local anaesthetic. Following this discussion, if you choose surgery, you will be offered a further appointment to return for your operation.
2 / Surgical Procedure
The SCC removal operation is carried out under local anaesthetic. These are skin-numbing injections, similar to that used at a dentist. Once the skin is numbed, the tumour is removed, along with an additional 4 mm of healthy skin around the edge. In higher-risk SCCs, a larger margin may be necessary. In most cases, the skin edges can then be brought together with stitches, leaving you with a straight scar. Larger tumours, however, or tumours growing on sites with little skin movement, may leave a defect in the skin that is too large to bring together directly. In this case, you may need some of the nearby skin to be moved into the gap (local flap), or a distant piece of skin transferred to the site and stitched into place (skin graft). If this is likely to be necessary, your surgeon will go through these options with you in your initial consultation. Depending on the site of surgery and the method of reconstruction, you can expect the wound to heal within one to two weeks, leaving a scar, which will continue to mature over a period of months.
3 / Histology and Results
All excised specimens are sent to a specialist pathology service, with histology results typically being returned within seven working days. Histology costs are included within the treatment price, ensuring a transparent and comprehensive service. The results will confirm the diagnosis and comment on whether the tumour has been completely removed. This will be the case in 95% of operations, but there is a 5% risk that microscopic spread has extended beyond the margins of surgery.
4 / Postoperative Care
Following your surgery, you will be given some aftercare information and offered a follow-up appointment free of charge, to ensure your wounds have healed satisfactorily and to take some post-operative photographs. Your pathology results will be discussed with you, and, if necessary, any further treatment or follow-up recommended can be arranged. An SCC that has been completely removed, is not likely to require further treatment, but regular follow-up may be recommended, depending on the tumour risk profile.
Getting care is straightforward
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Request an appointment
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Consultation with Dr Lowe - this usually takes 15-20 minutes
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Procedure under local anaesthetic with histology included
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Aftercare appointment
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Pricing
Further detail on pricing, including pricing FAQs, can be found on our pricing page.