Treating advanced CSCC

Surgery

During surgery, the intent is to remove the cancerous tumor and affected surrounding tissue. Some people with advanced CSCC may have multiple surgeries as part of their treatment to remove tumors on the head, neck, and other parts of the body. Depending on the extent and location of the surgery, some may need reconstructive surgery to repair areas of the skin or other structures of the body such as the nose or ear affected by the tumor. Surgery for CSCC is typically performed by a surgical oncologist, Mohs surgeon, or another trained surgical specialist.

Radiation

Advanced CSCC may also be treated with radiation therapy, which is a type of cancer treatment that uses beams of intense energy, most often X-rays, to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy is given by a radiation oncologist.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of systemic drug therapy (a type of drug that moves through the body) that may help your immune system fight cancer. Your body might not attack cancer because the cancer cells have developed ways to avoid the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognize, attack, and kill the cancer cells. This treatment is given by a medical oncologist.

Immunotherapy is not chemotherapy, which is another type of systemic drug therapy.

Immunotherapy can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in your body, which may cause serious side effects.