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Complete Squamous Cell Carcinoma Care in One Venice Office

Squamous cell carcinoma can grow and spread faster than basal cell carcinoma, so quick, coordinated care matters. At Greco Dermatology, Dr. Joseph F. Greco III personally performs examinations, biopsies, and surgical treatment of squamous cell carcinoma. He serves as a cancer surgeon, dermatopathologist, and reconstructive surgeon on the day of Mohs surgery. Dr. Greco has focused on skin cancer for more than 17 years and performed over 20,000 Mohs and excisional procedures. Urgent lesion visits are available for new or rapidly changing growths, so Venice patients don't have to wait months for an answer.

What Is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a skin cancer that begins in squamous cells, the flat cells near the skin's surface that shed continuously as new ones form. Chronic ultraviolet exposure damages these cells over time, causing abnormal, accelerated growth.

SCC is far more common than many people realize. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, an estimated 1.8 million cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. The foundation also reports that about 40,000 cases each year progress to advanced stages, when the cancer spreads or recurs and becomes harder to treat.

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Warning Signs of Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma usually appears on sun-exposed skin such as the face, ears, lips, scalp, neck, hands, and forearms. The Skin Cancer Foundation lists several common warning signs:

  • A persistent, scaly red patch with irregular borders that may crust or bleed
  • An open sore that bleeds or crusts and persists for weeks
  • A raised growth with a central depression that may bleed
  • A wart-like growth that crusts and occasionally bleeds

Any of these changes is reason to schedule a skin exam at the Venice office rather than waiting for your next routine visit.

Risk Factors for Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma risk rises with cumulative sun exposure, but other factors also play a role. Common risk factors include:

  • Age: According to the American Cancer Society, anyone can develop SCC, but risk goes up with age.
    Fair skin that burns easily, along with light eyes and light hair
  • Indoor tanning: The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that people who have ever tanned indoors have an 83 percent higher risk of SCC.
  • A weakened immune system: Organ transplant patients are about 100 times more likely than the general public to develop SCC, according to the same source.
  • Actinic keratoses or a history of prior skin cancer

Sun protection helps. The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that regular daily use of SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces SCC risk by about 40 percent when used as directed.

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Actinic Keratosis and Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a rough, scaly patch caused by long-term sun damage, and it is the most common precursor to squamous cell carcinoma. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that some AKs, left untreated, turn into SCC. Mayo Clinic places that risk at about 5 to 10 percent.

Treating AKs early is one of the most effective ways to prevent squamous cell carcinoma. Greco Dermatology treats actinic keratoses with liquid nitrogen, blue light photodynamic therapy, and topical chemotherapy and immune response modifiers, choosing the approach based on the number and location of patches.

Why Choose Dr. Greco for Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treatment in Venice, FL

Dr. Greco brings academic-level skin cancer training to the Venice office:

  • Double board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology in dermatology and micrographic dermatologic surgery
  • One of the first dermatologic surgeons to pass the American Board of Dermatology subspecialty exam in micrographic dermatologic surgery, in 2021
  • Fellowship trained in Mohs micrographic surgery, reconstructive surgery, and cutaneous oncology at The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
  • Former Director of UCLA Santa Monica Dermatology and Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
  • Participated in training 14 Mohs micrographic surgery fellows
  • A member of The American College of Mohs Surgery

When a case calls for additional expertise, Dr. Greco coordinates care through his network of skin cancer specialists, including surgical oncology, radiation oncology, oculoplastic surgery, and head and neck surgery.

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How We Diagnose and Treat Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Skin Exam and Biopsy

Diagnosis begins with a skin exam, often using a dermatoscope to view structures beneath the skin's surface.

 If a lesion appears suspicious, Dr. Greco performs a biopsy, removing a small sample for microscopic examination to confirm the diagnosis and assess how deeply the cancer extends.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treatment Options

Treatment for squamous cell carcinoma in Venice, FL, depends on the tumor's size, depth, location, and risk features. Options include:

  • Mohs micrographic surgery, which removes cancer layer by layer and examines 100 percent of the margin, achieving cure rates of up to 99 percent according to the American College of Mohs Surgery
  • Surgical excision, which removes the tumor with a margin of healthy tissue
  • Electrodesiccation and curettage, which scrapes away the lesion and uses an electric current to destroy remaining cells
  • Topical chemotherapy and immune response modifiers for select superficial cases
  • Radiation therapy, referred out when surgery isn't the best option

Mohs surgery is often preferred for SCC on the face, ears, lips, and hands, where preserving healthy tissue is most important.

Recovery and Follow-Up

Most SCC procedures are outpatient, and Mohs surgery typically includes same-day reconstruction. Recovery depends on the size and location of the treated area. Because one skin cancer raises the risk of another, Dr. Greco schedules regular follow-up skin exams after treatment.

High-Risk Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Some squamous cell carcinomas carry a higher risk of recurrence or spread. Features that raise concern include:

  • Tumors on the lips or ears
  • Larger or deeper tumors
  • Tumors that have come back after earlier treatment
  • Cancers in patients with weakened immune systems

For these cases, Dr. Greco's Mohs training and microscopic margin review are especially valuable. When additional treatment is needed, he coordinates with specialists in radiation oncology or head and neck surgery.

Related Skin Cancers We Treat

Greco Dermatology treats the full range of skin cancers at the Venice office. Learn more about Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment in Venice, FL, Melanoma Surgeon in Venice, FL, and Mohs Surgeon in Venice, FL, or explore our complete approach on the Skin Cancer Surgeon in Venice, FL page.

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Schedule a Squamous Cell Carcinoma Consultation in Venice, FL

If you've noticed a scaly patch, a sore that won't heal, or a growth that's changing, don't wait for your next annual exam. Call Greco Dermatology's Venice office at (941) 667-5544 to schedule a skin exam with Dr. Joseph Greco and get a clear plan for squamous cell carcinoma in Venice, FL.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.

FAQs

Can squamous cell carcinoma spread?

How is squamous cell carcinoma different from basal cell carcinoma?

Can squamous cell carcinoma come back after treatment?

Is Mohs surgery the best treatment for squamous cell carcinoma?

Does insurance cover squamous cell carcinoma treatment?

Can squamous cell carcinoma spread?

Yes. Most SCCs stay localized when treated early, but untreated tumors can grow deeper and spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

How is squamous cell carcinoma different from basal cell carcinoma?

Both begin in the top layer of the skin, but SCC develops in squamous cells and is more likely to spread than basal cell carcinoma.

Can squamous cell carcinoma come back after treatment?

Recurrence is possible, and a prior SCC raises the chance of developing new skin cancers. Regular follow-up skin exams help catch changes early.

Is Mohs surgery the best treatment for squamous cell carcinoma?

Mohs surgery offers the highest cure rates and is often preferred for cosmetically sensitive or high-risk areas. Dr. Greco recommends the approach that best fits each tumor.

Does insurance cover squamous cell carcinoma treatment?

Most insurance plans cover SCC diagnosis and treatment as medically necessary care. The Venice office can help verify coverage before treatment.

Sources

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Now Accepting New Dermatology Patients in Venice

Now Accepting New Dermatology Patients in Venice

Greco Dermatology’s Venice location is now accepting new dermatology patients. Schedule your visit online or by phone to get started.

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