About Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas
The two most common types of skin cancer are Basal and squamous cell cancers. Both of these types of skin cancer start in the epidermis, or the top two layers of skin, and are often related to sun exposure. The difference between these two cancers lies in the layers of the epidermis in which they form.
- Squamous cells: These cells occur in the upper part of the epidermis and are constantly shed as new cells form. When these cells grow out of control, they can develop into squamous cell carcinoma.
- Basal cells: These cells occur in the lower part of the epidermis, or basal cell layer. These cells form new cells to replace the squamous cells that are shed on the skin’s surface. Cancers that start in this layer are called basal cell carcinomas.
About 20% of skin cancers are squamous cell carcinomas and typically form on areas of the body that are continuously exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, ears, lips, and hands. Occasionally, they can form in the genital area. They can usually be removed through surgery, but are more likely than basal cell carcinomas to grow into deeper layers of the skin and spread to other parts of the body.
About 80% of skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas, and these cancers also tend to develop in areas of the body that are continuously exposed to the sun. If left untreated, basal cell carcinomas can invade nearby areas and grow into bones or other tissues. Basal cell carcinomas are also more likely to reoccur or appear in other places.
Treatment of Squamous and Basal Cell Carcinoma in Tampa Bay
Surgery is the most common treatment for both squamous and basal cell skin cancers, and can usually be done in a doctor’s office or clinic under a local anesthetic. For skin cancers with a high risk of spreading, surgery sometimes will be followed by other treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy.
When radiation therapy is used to treat skin cancers, the radiation is focused from outside the body onto the skin using a superficial beam of radiation that doesn’t go any deeper than the skin. Radiation therapy can often cure small basal or squamous cell skin cancers and can delay the growth of more advanced cancers. Treatments are usually scheduled Monday through Friday for several weeks to accurately deliver radiation to cancer. Each procedure is usually painless and only lasts a few minutes.
Tampa Bay Radiation Oncology offers their skin cancer patients state-of-the-art skin cancer treatment options such as Leipzig and Valencia Applicators with High Dose (HDR) Radiation. This highly successful skin cancer treatment is the least invasive skin cancer treatment option available to our Tampa patients with basal and squamous cell carcinoma skin cancers.
Contact Tampa Bay Radiation Oncology today for more information about squamous and basal cell cancer, our skin cancer specialists, and skin cancer treatment options. Tampa Bay Radiation Oncology has multiple Florida facilities located in the Tampa Bay area in Tampa and Brandon.