Squamous cell carcinoma is now occupying the second most common type of skin cancer. And because many people are afflicted with this disease, there is a need for more options on treatment for squamous cell carcinoma.
In the United States alone, there are already 250,000 people afflicted with this disease. It can affect virtually anyone, but this is especially common to fair skinned people and those who are always exposed to the sun. It can affect middle aged people to elderly people.
The cancer starts at the epithelium or the outer layer of the skin. In some cases, the bad cells can develop from lesions commonly called solar, clinically known as actinic keratosis. These cells can spread to the rest of the body so an early treatment is of utmost importance.
It usually starts as a scaly patch in the skin that is reddish and elevated in appearance. They can be found in the areas commonly exposed to the sun such as the face, arms, scalp, hands and ears. You should get suspicious when a lesion that suddenly erupts is difficult to heal.
The ultraviolet rays of the sun can trigger the development of these cancer components. Those who sunburn easily are more prone to this disease. Other factors that can contribute to this disease are smoking, chronic ulcer of the skin, ingestion of chemicals such as arsenic, and exposure to toxic oils.
If this disease is not treated immediately, it can destroy pretty much every tissue that surrounds the part of the tumor and can lead to the loss of nose and ear tissues. Those that appear on the lips can spread even to the lymph nodes and other vital organs which can then lead to death.
If lesions suddenly appear after a prolonged exposure to sun and this lesion do not heal and it grows considerably, you should go to your dermatologist to have it examined. The medical treatment for squamous cell carcinoma depends on the size and location of the tumor.
Surgical procedures can be utilized to remove the part that causes the cancer. It can also be treated using laser surgery, radiation therapy or cryosurgery which is a method that uses liquid nitrogen.
Alternative treatment for squamous cell carcinoma can also be utilized. Vitamins E and C can be taken to protect our dermis from the harmful effects of the sun. These are natural antioxidants that can be a preventive measure to this disease.
There are also particular herbal remedies that can help. Hawthorn, bilberry, ginkgo biloba and turmeric contain hefty amounts of antioxidants and nutrients such as beta carotene, zinc and selenium. Experts have studied that use of these herbal remedies and the reports are positive.