The majority of squamous cell cancer cases can be treated. However, in many cases, it will take a combination of treatments. The mode of treatment used for squamous cell cancer will depend on several factors, including treatment availability, whether it is a recurring or primary tumor, an individual patient's risk factors, the patient's overall health and age and the type, size, grade and location of the tumor.
Wide Excision Surgery
This type of surgery is used to remove a tumor. It is most often used on tumors that are located on the eyelid, anus, forehead, vulva, scalp, penis or lip. For wide excision surgery to be used for squamous cell cancer, the patient must have a tumor that is less than two centimeters in size, have previously been treated with radiation, have a tumor that is superficial or have a tumor that is growing slowly and is not aggressive.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
This type of surgery can be used for all forms of squamous cell cancer. It is often used on areas of the body where tumors have already occurred, the scalp, the eyelids, the forehead, the ears and the nose. Mohs micrographic surgery is also most often used on areas where physical appearance and function are important to maintain because it will produce the least amount of damage and scarring. For Mohs micrographic surgery to be used to remove a squamous cell cancer tumor, the patient must have a tumor that has poorly defined borders and is more than two centimeters in size, have an aggressive tumor or a tumor that is invasive and has spread to cartilage, nerves or bone, have a tumor that hasn't been treated for a prolonged period of time or have a tumor that was unable to be completely removed before this surgery.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is most often used after surgery to help kill any remaining cancer cells or to help shrink any remaining tumors. It cannot be used for forms of squamous cell cancer tumors that are less aggressive or growing slowly. Radiation therapy is effective in treating elderly patients, patients unable or unwilling to have surgery, recurring squamous cell cancer or tumors that occur on the nose, eyelid, earlobe or cheek. This treatment is also effective in forms of squamous cell cancer that involve any lymph nodes and to help control or alleviate the symptoms caused by very large tumors. Radiation can also be effective in ensuring cancer-free margins.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the most common form of cancer treatment and can be effective in treating squamous cell cancer. Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs that are capable of killing cancer cells. The most common chemotherapy drugs include Doxorubicin, Cisplatin and Bleomycin. Chemotherapy may also be beneficial in treating forms of squamous cell cancer that has spread to other areas of the body.
Curettage and Electrodesiccation (C&E)
This form of squamous cell cancer treatment is not often used. When it is used, it is intended to remove tumors or cancerous lesions. Curettage and electrodesiccation is most often used for tumors that have not spread, small tumors that are less than two centimeters in size and forms of squamous cell cancer with distinct margins. This form of treatment should not be used to treat areas of the body where function and physical appearance are important to maintain, on tumors bigger than two centimeters in size, on hairy areas (such as scalp, underarms or pubic area), on recurrent tumors, on tumors that do not have defined borders or on aggressive forms of squamous cell cancer.
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