Menu

(760) 341-1999

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

  • Created in Precancers & Skin Cancers

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most commonly occurring type of skin cancer. It appears most frequently in areas that are exposed to direct sunlight, such as the face, nose, ears, lips, neck, and back of the hands. Squamous cell carcinomas can present as rough, scaly, red patches; wart or horn-like lesions; or tender, crusted growths. They can arise from pre-cancerous growths called actinic keratoses. They can also arise from areas of chronic inflammation or injury. While most squamous cell carcinomas can be cured, these skin cancers can be deadly if left untreated. Treatments are typically surgical and include electrodesiccation and curettage (scraping and applying heat to the skin cancer site), excision, and Mohs surgery. In some instances, squamous cell carcinomas can also be treated with cryotherapy (use of liquid nitrogen to freeze the skin cancer), topical medications, photodynamic therapy (PDT), or radiation.

Disclaimer:
The information on this website is provided for educational and information purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a licensed medical provider and follow their recommendations regardless of what you read on this website. If you think you are having a medical emergency, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Links to other third-party websites are provided for your convenience only. If you decide to access any of the third-party websites, you do so entirely at your own risk and subject to the terms of use for those websites. Neither Mirage Dermatology, nor any contributor to this website, makes any representation, express or implied, regarding the information provided on this website or any information you may access on a third-party website using a link. Use of this website does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you would like to request an appointment with a health care provider, please call our office at (760) 341-1999.

Location

Our Location

Find us on the map

Office hours

Our regular schedule

Monday:

8:30 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:30 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

8:30 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

8:30 am-12:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Featured Articles

  • Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

    Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is a scarring alopecia - a condition which leads to destruction of the hair follicle and permanent hair loss. It predominantly affects middle aged Black women. Affected individuals experience a gradually expanding, circular area of hair loss that starts ...

    Read More

  • Merkel Cell Carcinoma

    Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare but very aggressive form of skin cancer. It commonly presents as a rapidly growing nodule or bump on a sun-exposed site such as the face, head, or neck. Merkel cell carcinomas can range in color from flesh colored to red, purple, or blue. This type of aggressive skin cancer ...

    Read More

  • Pityriasis Alba

    Pityriasis alba is often thought of as a low grade form of eczema. It presents with ill-defined, light colored (hypopigmented), slightly scaly patches of skin most commonly found on the face. It affects mainly children and adolescents and is often more noticeable in darker skin tones or tanned skin. ...

    Read More

  • Lichen Sclerosus

    Lichen sclerosus is a chronic skin condition most commonly affects the genital skin. The affected areas become thin, white, crinkled, irritated, and/or intensely itchy. Blisters and sores can also form. Left untreated, the condition can lead to scarring and increase an individual’s risk for skin cancer, ...

    Read More

  • Lupus

    Lupus is a group of autoimmune diseases where the body’s own immune system attacks healthy tissue leading to inflammation and damage in the affected organs. Lupus can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, and blood cells. Types of lupus include: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)This ...

    Read More

  • Lipoma

    Lipomas are common fatty tumors that present as soft or rubbery lumps or bumps underneath the skin that are easily moved. They can occur as a solitary lesion or multiple lesions (often occurring in families). Lipomas can occur anywhere on the body where fat tissue is present, but are most common on the ...

    Read More

  • Lichen Planus

    Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition that can affect the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes (such as the mouth and genital region). On the skin, it presents as small, pink to purple, itchy, flat-topped papules. Though the rash can appear anywhere (including on the genital skin), favored sites ...

    Read More

  • Lice

    Lice are tiny insects that live on human hair and clothing fibers and can be seen with the naked eye. These tiny bugs attach to the hair and feed on human blood, causing intense itching in the affected areas. People can suffer from 3 different types of infestation: head lice (pediculosis capitis), body ...

    Read More

  • Lentigo/Lentigines

    Lentigo is a benign skin growth that resembles a freckle. It is usually a tan or brown spot that is flat or slightly raised. It can vary in size and shape and can occur as a singular lesion or as multiple lesions (lentigines). Lentigines have been classified into several types depending on their characteristics, ...

    Read More

  • Laser Therapy

    Laser therapy is a broad term that describes treatments that use a single wavelength of light to target specific cells in the skin. The light energy is converted to heat energy, resulting in damage to the targeted cells and also triggering the skin’s repair mechanism, thereby stimulating collagen production. ...

    Read More

Contact Us

Testimonials
  • "Now that I am back home I have to express by appreciation to you and your office. Thanks for the courtesies and of course the “Best” medical attention."
    L.L., Rancho Mirage
  • "Just a short note to say thank you for all you have done for me over the past few months. I knew I was in good hands the first time I met you. I do appreciate the outstanding professionalism demonstrated by all staff on board. You all make up a great group of people, all of whom I´m proud to call friends."
    D.L., Rancho Mirage
  • "I cannot thank you and your wonderful staff associates enough for the superb care you all gave me this year. These were trying times for me and every one in your office pitched in to make my surgical recoveries easier on me. One seldom sees such caring in these times."
    A.H., Palm Desert
  • "I want to thank you not only for making my nose cancer free, but also for working so diligently to make my nose look great! I greatly appreciate the work you do and how conscientiously you made every effort to enhance my health and appearance."
    T. L., Rancho Mirage
  • "Thank you to each of you for your kind and caring attitude throughout my visits to your office. Dr. Richardson, you are a wonderful example of how a doctor´s office should and is being run!"
    E. L., Rancho Mirage