The best thing you can do for your skin and overall health is to see a dermatologist when a mole or growth on your skin begins to change. The cells on the upper layers of your skin are made up of squamous cells, and when they mutate or change, they can become squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Our Summerlin Dermatology team in Las Vegas, NV, under the guidance of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Reuel Aspacio, is truly skilled and experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of squamous cell carcinoma. Because of overexposure or repeated exposure to the sun's damaging UV rays, millions of people are diagnosed with SCC at an alarming rate each year. They can look wart-like in appearance to a firm nodule on the skin that may flake and bleed on impact. The best advice we can give you is that if you suspect something is wrong with your skin, please have a doctor check it out. It is also important to know that SCC is a type of metastatic cancer, which means it can spread to other areas of your body.

SCC is a preventable skin cancer if precautions are taken by limiting sun exposure and applying sunscreen to always protect the skin. Dr. Aspacio will tell you himself that there is no such thing as a "safe tan." SCC is clearly visible on the skin, and is easier to treat when caught early in its development. We invite you to our office for a screening and consultation for treatment. 

Everyone has a risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma no matter if you are fair-skinned with light-colored hair, or with grey/blue/green eyes or not. If you expose your skin to the sun for work or at play, you increase your chances of acquiring this type of skin cancer. We do know that men have SCC more often than women, and adults over the age of 50 are the most at risk. Anyone who has used an indoor tanning bed is also susceptible to SCC (and account for many of our new skin cancer patients each year). Other known reasons for patients developing SCC are from having a radiation exposure in the past or from currently being immunosuppressed.

Paying attention to the growths on your skin may not seem that important, but it truly is when it comes to seeing the symptoms of skin cancer. SCC spots will start to evolve and may even be mistaken for a wart or another skin growth. They can present as rough, scaly spots that just won't heal or bleed very quickly when disrupted on the skin. SCCs are thick and firm (sometimes seen as nodules). When any lesion on your skin starts to change in symmetry, color, shape, or size — you need to set up an appointment to see a skin specialist or experienced dermatologist like Dr. Aspacio. If left untreated, you risk more than just the aesthetics of your skin because SCCs can become life-threatening cancer.

There are many options for treatment for our SCC patients at our Summerlin Dermatology office. If the cancer is caught in the earlier stages, it will be easier to remove with (hopefully) minimal scarring. This depends on the severity of the condition to the size of the lesion, nodule, or mole. You do not want an SCC to spread because that is when it becomes a deeper issue. With early diagnosis, SCC is usually curable. There are many treatments available for skin cancers based on the subtype of the malignancy, size, location, and the depth and extent of involvement. Once a diagnosis is established, Dr. Aspacio will discuss the appropriate treatments for you. A simple excision, cryotherapy, electrodesiccation, curettage, and chemotherapeutic medication are all available at Summerlin Dermatology. If needed, Dr. Aspacio works with many specialists to approach the skin cancer.

Make a life-saving appointment at Summerlin Dermatology to have your skin assessed for skin cancers like squamous cell carcinoma. We are versed in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of SCC, and it is vital to see a dermatologist like Dr. Aspacio to screen your skin. Our team will provide you with the compassionate care you deserve and educate you on how to best care for your skin with or without malignancies. Please contact our office at your earliest convenience to schedule your examination (especially if you already have a worrisome spot that needs to be evaluated).