Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a skin lesion found usually on the elderly, although younger people may develop it as well. Extended sun exposure, various genetic factors and multiple other causes are predisposition in developing this type of skin cancer. An SCC may appear anywhere on the human body, more often though on the face, the upper and lower limbs. This type of skin cancer requires immediate treatment due to the fact that in some cases it may develop metastases to nearby lymph nodes complicating therapy.
Surgical excision of an SCC is done under local anaesthetic on an outpatient’s basis. Postoperatively the patient may undergo additional radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy according to the type, depth and extension of the lesion and the presence of affected lymph nodes. The decision to undergo these additional therapies is taken from the plastic surgeon and the oncologist when the pathology report is final.
Treatment of a melanoma is the surgical excision of the area and it local or general anaesthesia is required depending on the size of the tumour. When the melanoma is extended and the excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue is large, the plastic surgeon may use a variety of surgical flaps, cleverly designed on the nearby healthy areas, to achieve closure of the problematic skin region.
