Ask Dr Nerenberg | Health and Fitness

Skin Cancer, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma?

What kind of treatment is the best for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma? I am 30 years old, and have been diagnosed with both of these cancers and my doctor told me that we are going to talk this week about the different treatment opitions, creams, freezing and burning?? I would like to know the side effects and opitions I have, I am l eaning towards the cream, easy and I can do this at home I have small children and need to be with them. ty

I’m guessing that these are both skin cancers as squamous cell can be found elsewhere in the body.

If you have been diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma it needs to be removed. Depending on where it is either a dermatologist/minor ops doctor or plastic suregeon will do it for you. Requires a local anaesthetic with an oval incision around the area but will be larger than the cancer to ensure all of it is removed. You will then find out the histology (someone looks down a microscope) results a few weeks later. A squamous cell carcinoma requires removal due to a very very small risk of it spreading to other organs. Takes about 10-15 minutes to remove, can go home same day.

The basal cell carcinoma has no chance of spreading. For these you can use creams and freezing. Cryotherapy or freezing is done with liquid nitrogren by the GP/dermatologist and is the same stuff used for warts/varrucas. Very quick, a little painful at the time and can go home later. You will have to have several follow up appointments until the cancer has gone away.

Alternatively you can use creams. If you have a whole area of basal cell carcinomas then you can apply a cream over the area. However be warned that certain creams are so powerful at removing cancer they will also burn your skin. You will experience a few weeks of very red painful skin over the application area but this will heal 100%. And I am repeatedly told that the skin comes back baby soft. You just have to deal with the few weeks of red skin.

And of course you can also have a basal cell carcinoma removed surgically like the squamous cell.

All these treatments shouldn’t impact too mcuh on life with your kids. And if you have these two cancers then you need to keep an eye on all of your skin, particularly all of your moles. Any change in shape, colour, texture, size or if they bleed or become itchy requires a doctor to have a look at them. Now you’ve had these ones you are at increased risk of developing more. If increased sun exposure/UV radiation is the cause of your issues you need to watch out for malignant melanoma which is the one you don’t want. But regular self-monitoring is all that is needed.

Can Lotions and Creams Freeze on Your Face [DermTV.com Epi #296]