Treatments For Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Electrodesiccation And Curettage

Electrodesiccation and curettage is a technique used to treat tiny squamous cell carcinoma lesions. It involves the use of a scraping tool to remove the skin cancer, a process is known as curettage. The instrument has a sharp, circular tip and is used to remove the surface of the skin cancer. The second part of the procedure is called electrodesiccation and entails the use of an electrocautery needle to burn the cancerous area. This action destroys any residual cancer cells and stops the bleeding. This process of scraping and burning is usually performed a few times through layers of tissue to make sure the tumor is completely removed. The low-risk technique is almost as effective as surgical removal of surface SCCs regarding cure rates. This technique leaves a fairly large scar, so it's not recommended for highly visible areas. It's also not advisable as a treatment for invasive or aggressive cases of squamous cell carcinoma or delicate areas.

Keep reading for more on treating SCC effectively.