If you were recently diagnosed with skin cancer, you might have a lot of questions and concerns about the cancer, treatment options, and your quality of living.
At Désirée Ratner, M.D., P.C., we are here to help during this emotional time. We provide quality treatment for squamous cell carcinoma, along with other skin cancer types, in Manhattan, NY.
There are three most common skin cancer types: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
If caught early, these can be curable by surgery alone. If caught too late, some skin cancers can be disfiguring or life-threatening.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer, with over 2 million cases diagnosed in the United States every year. BCC, it usually arises in sun-exposed areas, but can occur anywhere on the skin, including the genital region.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was long thought to be the second most common skin cancer., but it seems to be nearly as common as BCC. SCC is more a serious diagnosis than BCC because, if left untreated, SCC can spread and become life-threatening. However, if diagnosed and treated early, SCC is also highly curable.
Melanoma is less common than other skin cancers, but it is one of the deadliest. Melanoma arises from pigment cells in the skin. If diagnosed and treated early, it is also curable.
BCC is a slowly growing skin cancer which is not usually life threatening, but if left untreated can grow deeply and become locally destructive. Although it often arises in patients with fair skin, people of all skin types and colors can develop BCC.
SCC may manifest in many ways. It may be a rough red patch, a sore that won’t go away or keeps coming back, an age spot, or a growth that is raised above the surface of the skin. These lesions can appear anywhere, including in non-sun-exposed areas and even beneath the nails. No matter what, early diagnosis and treatment are essential. Squamous cell carcinoma treatment is most effective when the cancer is caught early.
While a history of excessive exposure to sunlight plays a role in developing all skin cancers, there is sometimes a genetic predisposition to developing melanoma, which sometimes runs in families. Patients with a previous or family history of melanoma, or who have a large number of moles, or atypical/dysplastic moles, are at greater risk for developing melanoma.
Some low risk BCCs can be treated with topical creams, while others require treatment with local destruction or excision. High risk BCCs are more likely to be treated with Mohs micrographic surgery to increase the probability of cure. Large or aggressive BCCs that may not be curable with surgery or radiation can be controlled with newer oral agents or immunotherapy.
Like BCCs, small, low risk SCCs may be treated with topical creams, local destruction or excision. High risk SCCs, which have more risk factors for recurrence, are more likely to be treated with Mohs micrographic surgery to increase the probability of cure. There are new genetic tests that can be done when a SCC is diagnosed to predict its level of risk. There are also new treatments now available for skin cancers that may not be treated completely with surgery or radiation.
As with the non-melanoma skin cancers, when caught early, melanoma can be curable by surgery alone. If caught too late, it can be life-threatening. Fortunately, new targeted and immune therapies are available to treat melanoma patients with more advanced disease, providing them with improved survival and quality of life.
Whatever treatment you need, Désirée Ratner, M.D., P.C., can help. Please reach out to us today at (212) 814-5884 to discuss your skin cancer situation and treatment options. We look forward to speaking with you.
Désirée Ratner, M.D., P.C.
115 East 61st Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10065
Phone:
(212) 814-5884
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