Professional Documents
Culture Documents
LEVEL
HND II
COURSE
SCIENCE WRITING
TOPIC
GROUP: Group 11
LECTURER IN CHARGE
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, like the ones from the sun or a tanning bed, affects
the cells in the middle and outer layers of the skin and can cause them to make too
many cells and not die off as they should. This can lead to out-of-control growth of these
cells, which can lead to squamous cell carcinoma.
Other things can contribute to this kind of overgrowth, too, like conditions that affect the
immune system.
Squamous cell carcinoma can usually be treated with minor surgery that can be done in
a doctor’s office or hospital clinic. Depending on the size and location of the SCC, a
doctor may choose different techniques to remove it.
For small skin cancers:
● Curettage and electrodessication (C and E): removing the top layer of the skin
cancer then using an electronic needle to kill cancer cells
● Laser therapy: an intense light destroys the growth
● Photodynamic therapy: a photosensitizing solution applied to your skin then
activated with a light or daylight, or sometimes with intense pulsed light
● Cryosurgery: freezing of the spot using liquid nitrogen
For larger skin cancers:
● Excision: cutting out the cancer spot and some healthy skin around it, then
stitching up the wound
● Mohs surgery: excision and then inspecting the excised skin using a microscope;
this requires stitching up the wound
● Superficial radiation therapy
For cancers that spread beyond the skin
● Lymph node surgery: remove a piece of the lymph node; uses general
anesthesia
● Topical chemotherapy : a gel or cream applied to the skin, sometimes with
microneedling
● Targeted drug treatment
● Ablative and nonablative lasers, or chemical peels
If it’s not treated, squamous cell carcinoma can spread and damage healthy tissue and
organs. In rare cases, it can be life-threatening. That can be more likely if:
● The cancer is large or very deep.
● The cancer involves mucous membranes, like your lips.
● You’ve had an organ transplant.
● You have a weakened immune system because of certain conditions, like some
types of leukemia.