squamous cell

[Miri775]

well its not good new, my husband cancer is back.................its called squamous cell, trying to read up on it, anyone has any insight?

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

Squamous cell carcinoma can be offered radiation and can be curative for early disease. For recurrent disease, it would have some role if he would be coughing up blood, or if there would be some compression of the cancer on large blood vessels. The radiation however, is not likely to improve survival, chemotherapy can be able to do this and hence this would indeed be the preferred option.
A second opinion probably wouldn’t hurt for as long as you would be able to provide the next doctor with all the details of previous treatment.
Stay positive.  

[Miri775]

Its squamous cell lung cancer, NSLC . he has one lung, which was removed 3 years ago, this has come back as a secondary cancer, they have started him on Tarceva and then chemo, but the oncologist said no radiation, as this type of cancer does not respond well to radiation.   But thats not what I am seeing on the net, the mass has encased the veins of the aorta.   thinking of getting a second opinion

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

Is the cancer in the lung or the skin?

The post of kindd relates to skin cancer. This is a lung cancer forum, but people do on occasion post other cancers.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Squamous cell carcinoma is cancer that begins in the squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales under the microscope Squamous cells are found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow organs of the body, and the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts. Thus, squamous cell carcinomas can actually arise in any of these tissues.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin occurs roughly one-quarter as often as basal cell carcinoma. Light-colored skin and a history of sun exposure are even more important in predisposing to this kind of cancer than to basal cell carcinoma. Men are affected more often than women

As with basal cell carcinoma, doctors usually perform a biopsy to make a proper diagnosis. This involves taking a sample by injecting local anesthesia and punching out a small piece of skin using a circular punch blade. Usually the method used referred to as a punch biopsy. The skin that is removed is then examined under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

It can be treated by Curettage and desiccation, Radiation therapy, Cryosurgery, Mohs micrographic surgery Medical therapy using creams that attack cancer cells (5-Fluorouracil--5-FU, Efudex, Fluoroplex) or stimulate the immune system (Aldara).

http://www.medicinenet.com/skin_cancer/page2.htm

In case of any more information,pls do post us.